NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY AND NATIONAL INTEREST UNDER THE MUAHMMADU BUHARI ADMINISTATION, 2015-2023

Abstract

This paper assessed Nigeria’s foreign policy and national interest under the Muhammadu Buhari Administration from 2015 to 2023. The study objectives were to examine the impact of foreign policy on Nigeria’s national interest under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, ascertain the challenges that the implementation of Nigeria's policy under the Muhammadu Buhari administration and proffer solutions to the challenges faced by the Muhammadu Buhari administration with regards to Nigeria’s foreign policy. This research addresses national interest, foreign policy, and external relations gaps, omissions, and issues raised by scholars and policymakers under the Muhammadu Buhari administration. The social constructivism theory served as theoretical framework while descriptive research design was adopted while the social constructivism theory served as theoretical framework. The finding reveals. Data for the study were obtained from secondary and primary sources. The sample size of the study was 400. A total of 400 questionnaire copies were administered to respondents and 317 were returned. The paper identified a number of challenges in Muhammadu Buhari's foreign policy. These bottle necks were lack of institutional capacities, inadequate monitoring, political intervention, lack of well-defined policy frameworks, insurgency, terrorism and corruption, the study recommends improved institutional capacity and bureaucratic efficiency to overcome institutional insufficiency and inefficiency. Also, to improve poor public and stakeholder engagement, the government must actively include citizens, civil society, and key stakeholders in policymaking and execution.