NIGERIA'S FOREIGN POLICY IN A CHANGING GLOBAL ORDER: BALANCING RELATIONS WITH CHINA, RUSSIA AND THE WEST

This study examined Nigeria's foreign policy in a changing global order, focusing on its evolving relationships with China, Russia, and Western nations. It examined how Nigeria managed these systems so that its foreign policy objectives could be achieved within a domestic and dynamic international system. Until 1999, Nigeria's foreign policy shifted to a pragmatic diplomatic policy that emphasized economic diplomacy and diverse relations if founded on Afrocentric and non-aligned bases. The study was informed by qualitative research methodology based on case studies, governmental documents, policy reviews, and trade data in a bid to identify trends in Nigeria's foreign relations. The study also found that Nigeria's interaction with China was characterized by trade and BRI investment and that with Russia was characterized by arms procurement and energy deals. These factors have made Nigeria embark on the quest for diversification on an international level. However, there are also cases of economic dependence and lack of mutual benefits. However, the relations with the Western states, especially the United States and countries of the European Union, continued to be crucial for trade, security cooperation and development assistance only the basis of which was rather conditioned by the demands of good governance and combating corruption. As for the adjustments for increasing Nigeria's international power, the research advised going further in institutional changes, active multilateral participation, and diaspora mobilization.

Keywords: Nigeria