Maneuvering Affinities: An Outline of the History of Nigeria’s Diplomatic Relations with the Third World

From about the 15th century, imperialism, in the realm of international relations, has been affecting every aspect of human existence. As it places its advocates and apologists (the capitalists nations) on the top of the ladder of the international system, it ensures, not only the perpetuation of its victims (the developing nations) at the bottom, suffering its weights, but also ensured the twisting of their collective psyche to accept inferiority. Nigeria is one of such emergent nations, which are termed under the rubric “Third World”. Being a product of colonial system, Nigeria was structurally coerced to create and maintain profound socio-political and asymmetric economic ties with the Western Capitalist Nations (the First World). However, it was soon realized that creating profound affinity with other Third World nations (including the nations that Nigeria shares boundaries with), with whom Nigeria shares the experiences of colonialism and subordination, was very essential in ensuring economic independence, territorial security and overall development; more so, considering the manner with which the Western Nations treated Nigeria during the Nigerian Civil War. This paper is an attempt to chronicle preparatory comments on years of Nigeria’s efforts at ‘maneuvering affinities’ with the Third World, both on bilateral and multilateral basis, as demonstrated by its Africa Centerpiece Foreign policy and alliances like the non-align movement, Organisation of African Unity/African Union, ECOWAS, D-8, etc. The paper is based on both primary and secondary sources. These include journal articles, presented papers, textbooks and relevant internet materials.