Economic Diplomacy in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Implementation and Outcomes

This study seeks to assess the economic diplomacy in Nigeria’s foreign policy development and its implementation and outcomes. The study considered various layers of Nigeria’s global partnerships aimed at advocacy that will direct the commercial interest of the country to pursue economic growth. Contemporary studies were analyzed to determine their findings and recommendations which form the basis for the methodology adopted. A mixed-methods design that integrates quantitative analysis of macroeconomic indicators with qualitative semi-structured interviews to examine the efficacy of Nigeria’s economic statecraft is deployed for the study. The primary source of evidence is archival government reports and open-ended interviews with diverse stakeholders, including academic experts, diplomatic officials, and media representatives. The outcomes of foreign policy outcomes are measured by evaluating shifts in intra-African trade volumes and foreign direct investment inflows, utilizing a dual-metric approach that captures both qualitative perceptions of diplomatic efficacy and quantitative economic growth indicators. Findings indicates that Nigeria’s strategic engagement is complicated by its dual-track foreign policy, which simultaneously pursues traditional Western partnerships while exploring the economic potential of emerging BRICS-led initiatives. Contrary to desired favorable outcomes, policy somersault has resulted in Nigeria’s strained bilateral relations with South Africa and others in its cohort, where a lack of formalized institutional structures has often led to personality driven diplomacy that remains vulnerable to cyclical political shifts. A key recommendation of this study is that, Nigeria transitions toward a more integrated, evidence-based foreign policy that harmonizes domestic economic reform with its regional leadership ambitions. Prioritizing the modernization of diplomatic infrastructure and the professionalization of its foreign service which is essential to bridge the current implementation gap and restore institutional continuity.