Foreign policy is an indispensable tool for achieving our national interests through our relations with the rest of the world, amongst other things...

Nigeria is one of the 193 countries in the world intricately and inextricably interdependent on one another. It is, therefore, imperative that we forge mutually beneficial relations with the rest. Nigeria's foreign policy is the channel for the country's visibility in the world and for influencing the course of global events and developments in our favour. More importantly, it is an indispensable tool and instrument for the achievement of our national interest through relations with the rest of the world on the one hand, and for sustainable development, national economic prosperity and domestic peace and security on the other, as laid down in the Nigerian Constitution.

Aside the foreign policy challenges that may be peculiar or specific to Nigeria, the general focus of its external relations, like that of any other country, is often determined by the prevailing national, sub-regional, regional and international issues of common interest or concern. 

For instance, the evolving nature of the USA's international engagements under the current administration, the United Kingdom's impending exit from the European Union, rise of populist/right wing politics in the western hemisphere, the removal of tenure for Presidents in the constitution of the Peoples Republic of China, constitutional reforms that allow for a more powerful president in Turkey, as well as the State of political continuity in the Russian presidency are some of the other trends in international affairs that ouradministration is poised to engage with in the best possible ways. 
 

Policy Objectives

Our foreign policy thrust will have the promotion of economic diplomacy as its core, ensuring it affects Nigerians' lives in the most positive way, while being conscious of the economic and employment potentials of every activity.

What We Will Do

Retooling Nigeria's Foreign Policy Instrument

Modern diplomacy has no space for inexperience, trial and error. Foreign policy making is a thoughtful and sombre process, if it must survive the complexity of modern day diplomacy. In view of this important factor in foreign policy, the government will retool Nigeria's foreign policy instrument by:

a. Nominating reputable and well-known Nigerians in the diplomatic circle who will be at the forefront to regain the confidence and respect of the international community; someone with both the experience and contact.

b. Re-activating the Presidential Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs, and take into account in our foreign policy decision-making the views of important and national institutions such as the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN), the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), and the Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic studies (NIPSS).

c. Convening of an All-Nigerian Conference on Foreign Policy to promote national consensus on our national interest to guide foreign policy.

d. Creating a Foreign Service Commission (FSC), separate from the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

e. Deploying the best team and tools available for diplomacy by appointing competent and well-trained professionals as envoys to implement Nigeria's foreign policy.

f. Providing for a smooth and effective running of Nigeria's diplomatic missions, including adequate funding and provisions for consular assistance to Nigerians in need.

g. Implement properly, the Diaspora Commission Act 2017, charged with coordinating and organizing Nigerians in and from the Diaspora to contribute human capital and material resources, including their expertise, for the development of Nigeria and its constituent States. For instance, Nigeria Diaspora remitted an estimated $22billion in 2017 which can be harnessed as part of our proposed “Infrastructure Fund”.

h. Set FDI targets for each foreign mission, relative to the economy of the location of the mission. This will be done, while being conscious of the traditional conventions guiding diplomacy. There will be an emphasis on non-oil FDI.

BRICS/Group20 Membership

Nigeria is not a member of BRICS because she is not considered an emerging world economy. Nigeria is also not a member of the Group of 20 countries (G20). The absence of Nigeria in both of these crucial international bodies is a reflection of the lack of its recognition as a major player in world economy or as the leading economy in Africa. It also demonstrates how distant Nigeria has been from global economic activities in the global march to economic advancement. It is also a reflection of the lack of recognition of her claim to economic success by the countries that truly control the world economy. Bearing this in mind, we plan to:

a. Integrate the Nigerian economy into the global economy and revamp it to make it more competitive with assurance of steady and genuine growth;

b. Strive to attain the level of economic success that should qualify Nigeria to join the group of major decision-makers on the direction of the global economy; and

c. Establish and consolidate Nigeria's voice in the global policy space and resist rules made by others that could affect her interest directly.

Promotion of Multilateral Trade

a. Nigeria has been operating a mono-export economy for about 50 years, relying almost exclusively on crude oil.  Our plan is to start the process of diversifying Nigeria's export base from the success we expect to achieve from our robust approach on improvements in agriculture, solid minerals development, industrialization and manufactures as contained in this policy document. Along with this objective, we will:

b. Reactivate interest in multilateral trade by leveraging on our membership of international commodity agreements, including those operating under the platform of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

c. Focus on export potentials from agricultural products, energy, minerals, ores and metals, all of which we have in abundance but mostly unexploited.

d. Commit fully to commodity sector development as an engine of economic growth and poverty reduction

e. Commence on postBREXIT strategy to take advantage  of opportunities that may come from UK's non EU membership position.
 
Maximizing the gains of participating in ECOWAS

Nigeria's destiny is inextricably tied with that of its neighbours and other countries in the region, specifically West African countries, a situation that necessitates placing special emphasis on our relations with this group of countries at bilateral and multilateral levels. This will be a major foreign policy direction of a Federal Government led by Atiku Abubakar. Nigeria fully supports the ECOWAS path to achieve regional integration driven by the people. Towards this end, the principal goal of our Government for ECOWAS will include:

a. Strengthen ECOWAS Commission to be fit for its purpose and for Nigeria to get value for her financial contributions, in the following ways:

b. Vigorous pursuit of ECOWAS's programmes of free movement of persons, goods, services and capital, right of establishment and residence and the building of a West African Customs Union. 

c. Mobilize the rest of ECOWAS to make positive strides in the harmonization of the macro-economic policies of West African countries, the implementation of Common External Tariff, trade liberalization, customs union, industrial policy, mines development, agriculture and environment, as well as infrastructure in the areas of transport, telecommunications and energy.

d. Pursue the completion of the Lagos-Abidjan highway project to support the ECOWAS regional integration agenda, stimulate investments, reduce poverty, improve security and enhance accessibility within this sub-region of over 300 million people.

e. Play a greater leadership role in applying the ECOWAS regional peace and security mechanism to enhance conflict prevention, management and resolution, as well as develop an early warning system.

f. Implement the final stages of ECOWAS Vision 2020 and ensure the execution of ECOWAS 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development, both aimed at promoting economic development and significantly raising the living standards of the people.

g. Respect the integrity of ECOWAS Treaty as an international instrument established to serve the interest of West African countries only as stipulated in the Treaty itself and as originally envisioned by its founding fathers. Resist the introduction of any extraneous influence from outside the sub-region that is capable of derailing the Organization from its path to a glorious future.

h. Re-invigorate the Gulf of Guinea Commission to enable it transform the lives of the people of its Member States. Also accord the Commission a permanent institutional framework for cooperation on peace and security to address the challenges of militancy in the Niger Delta area of the country.

i. Continue Nigeria's cooperation and participation with United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Boko Haram, in order to save the Lake Chad and restore the economic activities of member States of the commission who depend on it for their livelihood.

j. Intensify collaboration with our neighbouring countries in the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic, as well as with interested international partners, in combatting the threat of armed insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria and increasing economic activities around the lake basin.

k. Mobilize ECOWAS Members States for collective action to control the movement of illicit small arms and light weapons across West African borders and promote the full implementation of the 2006 ECOWAS Small Arms Convention.

l. Encourage other ECOWAS member states to start paying their fair share in the administration of the subregion. This will allow for more resources to address other continental and domestic responsibilities.

Enhancing Nigeria's Visibility in the AFRICAN UNION (AU)

The greatest challenges confronting the African continent are those of poverty and armed
conflict. The nature of conflicts in Africa and in the rest of the developing world has changed from inter-State wars to internal armed conflict often initiated by armed non-state actors with serious consequences for the socioeconomic development, peace and stability of the affected countries. Any solution to Africa's problems must, therefore, be geared towards uplifting the region from its condition of extreme poverty and the challenges of peace, security and political stability. This will be one of the main foreign policy directions of our administration with respect to Africa. In addition, within Nigeria's concentric circle, discussions around the signing of the Continental Free Trade Agreement of the African Union, as well as Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU are some of the international issues within the African continent that our administration is poised to address. To achieve this, we will:

a. Resolve the impasse over the signing of the AfCFTA judiciously, without harming our economic progress or jeopardizing our relations with Africa;

b. Make available at the best possible time, Nigeria's strategic response to the EU EPA conundrum, as 13 ECOWAS members states, bar Nigeria and Gambia, have signed the agreement. The response is essential, as the EU EPA will ultimately draw those countries economically closer to the EU, than their geographical neighbours in west Africa;

c. Work with the African Union and other African-oriented institutions established to complement the union's vision and objectives;

d. Take the lead in helping the African Union realize its objective of promoting sustainable development at economic, social and cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies;

e. Ensure the pursuit of the African Union's Agenda 2063 for regional integration and development;

f. Re-ignite continental interest in, and commitment to, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) as a holistic,comprehensive and integrated strategic framework for the socioeconomic development of Africa;

g. Support Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in a new capacity as a Specialized Agency of the African Union; strive for universal accession;

h. Fit Nigeria into the African peace and security architecture to save our region from armed violence and instability and the concomitant stagnation in development; and

i. Commit fully to the new democratic principle of the African Union and ECOWAS on zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government. Enhancing Nigeria's International Visibility Nigeria will strive to increase the current level of its international visibility, credibility and respect in a Federal Government that is under my leadership. Attainment of desired level of such visibility, credibility and respect means active participation in world affairs to help realize the purposes of the United 

Nations and advance Nigeria's national interest.

It involves:

a. Active participation in the maintenance of international peace and security, promotion of friendly relations among States and achievement of international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character;

b. Enhance the role of Nigeria in international peacekeeping operations through professionalism and commitment of our troops;

c. Increase Nigeria's competitiveness in the global economy both as a solo undertaking and through existing treaty-based cooperative arrangements with international entities that will also increase foreign direct investment into the Nigerian economy;

d. Ensure that Nigeria meets the SDGs (UN Agenda 2030);

e. Make available at the best possible time, Nigeria's strategic response to the EU EPA conundrum, as 13 ECOWAS member States, bar Nigeria and The Gambia, have signed the agreement. This response is essential, as the EU EPA will ultimately draw those countries economically closer to the EU, than their geographical neighbours in West Africa;

f. Harness the benefits from an AGOA trade deal; and

g. Continue to maintain excellent relations and ensure that the interest of Nigeria is protected in the course of our dealings with these international/regional organizations.

Curbing the Threat of Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons

The influx of illicit small arms and light weapons into the Nigerian territory and the territories of some West African States continues to pose serious threat to the country's security and that of the affected States.

We shall:

• Mobilize ECOWAS Members States for collective action to control the movement of illicit small arms and light weapons across West African borders and promote the full implementation of the 2006 ECOWAS Small Arms Convention.

Securing Nigeria's Leadership in World Affairs

Nigeria has lost its rightful place in world affairs and is, in some cases, only an onlooker on global developments that could otherwise be of immense benefit to its political, cultural or socio-economic well-being. We are determined to secure Nigeria's rightful place in global affairs by:

a. Ensuring our foreign policy is more aggressive and proactive.

b. Maintaining, at the continental level, Nigeria sets regional goals and lead the rest on their implementation, and equally provide direction on issues of common concern to Africa, in particular peace and security.

c. Re-establishing, at the global level, the fast eroding leadership role of Nigeria in world affairs, especially in the area of maintenance of international peace and security.

d. Revamping competitive participation in international commodity bodies and agreements, in line with the plan to revamp agriculture and solid mineral as a means of earning export revenue; and

e. Influence the African Union and ECOWAS to increase economic prospects of the Nigerian people through job and wealth creation.

Improving the Nigerian Image

A Government headed by Atiku Abubakar will be committed to the restoration of Nigeria's dignity abroad by rebuilding its national image.

Towards this end, it will:

a. Provide Nigeria adequate positive visibility and exposure through participation and prominence in world diplomatic, political and socio-economic affairs, and enhance her international credibility.

b. Adopt a conscious policy of hosting major international conferences and events profitably as other countries do, rather than as a drain on the country's financial resources.

c. Embrace a deliberate policy of promoting the appointment and election of as many qualified Nigerians as possible into major international organizations, particularly those in which Nigeria is a member.

d. Consider renaming the Office of Diaspora Affairs to “Office of Diaspora Professional Investments” (ODPI) as part of the effort to turn present “Brain Drain” to “Brain Gain.”

e. Take appropriate measures to reduce the involvement of Nigerians in drug and human trafficking, cybercrime, and similar activities that dent Nigeria's image abroad.

Potentials of Diaspora Partnership

Nigerians in Diaspora contributed and continue to contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy either through direct investment, transfer incomes or social support to family in Nigeria. Annual Diaspora remittances to Nigeria have consistently been over $10bn. in recent years.

The volume of investment that they have in Nigeria has contributed greatly to job creation and with the potential to use the platform to develop a Diaspora export market for Nigerian products in countries such as U.S, UK, SA with large Nigerian immigrants.

They contribute to Nigeria's knowledge economy through consultancy and government appointments. Their participation can be used to improve the quality of Nigeria's political process but they do not have voting right.

We shall consider renaming the Office of Diaspora Affairs to “Office of Diaspora Professional Investments” (ODPI) as part of the effort to turn present “Brain Drain” to “Brain Gain”