DEMOCRATISATION OF FOREIGN POLICY IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Research Problem The political elite has significantly shaped Nigeria's foreign policy, especially during the prolonged military rule. However, since its return to democracy in 1999, there has been no correlation between democratic growth and foreign policy democratisation. Methods/theory As qualitative research, it analyses the historical and contemporary challenges in the foreign policy decision-making process, drawing from the theoretical framework of democratic peace theory, social constructivism, critical theory, liberalism, and institutionalism it explained level of participation and constraints to foreign policy democratisation in Nigeria. Results The paper acknowledged the significant progress made in opening the foreign policy space; however, several obstacles subsist. Some of the key challenges include limited citizen engagement, institutional weaknesses, and executive dominance, which often formulates and executes foreign policy with minimal public consultation. Conclusion It concludes that since 1999 Nigeria’s foreign policy has become more participatory. However, to achieve a more sustainable foreign policy democratisation, active engagement with civil society, institutional reform and political will are required. Furthermore, Nigeria can be repositioned to achieve geostrategic and geopolitical influence both regionally and globally. Key Contribution to Knowledge The paper advanced insights on how Nigeria's hybrid foreign policy democratisation sees opening to public participation but is constrained by weak institutions and executive dominance. It benefits from a framework for analysing and understanding the correlation between democracy and foreign policy democratisation in Nigeria. Recommendation The paper recommends effective civil society engagement, parliamentary oversight, accountability to improve the democratisation of the foreign policy space in Nigeria.