Nigeria’s Participation in Peace Support Operations and The National Interest, 1960 – 2023

Abstract

National interests are a public declaration of a country's needs and intentions based on an assessment of the current situation. Such a declaration performs several key functions. Firstly, it establishes a hierarchy of foreign policy priorities to avoid the ineffective use of resources and over-extension. Nigeria has actively been involved in Peace Support Operations (PSOs) around the world, which raises the question of national interest. It is against this background that the study set out to investigate the national interest element in Nigeria's participation in PSOs. Data for the study were collected from both primary and, secondary sources. Interviews and discussions were held with very knowledgeable sources on the subject of national interest and peace support operations. The concept of Peace Support Operations was expanded alongside the tool of Liberal/Neo-Liberal Theory as a framework. Available and presented qualitative data not only affirm Nigeria’s active participation and involvement in PSOs but strongly buttress the dire need for her to continue, since, her national interest though variegated appears to be on the gainful mode. However, since she has consistently shown increasing support and participation in global peace efforts, though most importantly lacking in clear-cut policy formulation and direction in both domestic and external security projection, the need to interject and interrogate these anomalies remains apparent. While conceding and supporting Nigeria’s participation in global issues, this study advocates that the Nigerian government should make and implement a distinct or deliberate policy on PSOs that provides direction to Nigeria’s future participation. Nigeria should take full advantage of the country’s participation by ensuring that commensurate economic, military, and diplomatic advantages are secured for the country. Finally, Nigeria should strive to achieve political, economic, technological, and military advancement in order to achieve all her aspirational interests using PSOs as a medium.