Explain five (5) problems Nigeria encountered in her interaction with nations of the world.

Answer Details

Since independence in 1960, Nigeria's engagement with other nations has been shaped by a number of difficulties. Five of these problems are explained below.

1. Financial constraints: Nigeria's ambition to play a leading role in Africa and the world often outstripped her resources. Commitments such as funding liberation movements, contributing to ECOMOG peacekeeping in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and hosting international events placed a heavy burden on an economy already troubled by debt and fluctuating oil revenue.
2. Ingratitude of beneficiary states: Nigeria gave generous assistance to many African countries, yet several of them showed little appreciation. Some beneficiaries voted against Nigeria at international bodies or sided with her rivals, and a few even expelled Nigerian nationals, giving rise to the complaint that her "big brother" diplomacy yielded few loyal friends.
3. Domestic instability: Frequent military coups, the civil war (1967 to 1970), ethnic and religious conflicts, and unstable civilian rule weakened Nigeria's image abroad and reduced her credibility as a champion of good governance and democracy.
4. Interference and rivalry from the great powers: Cold War politics and the interests of former colonial masters, especially Britain, France and the United States, limited Nigeria's freedom of action. France in particular, entrenched in francophone West Africa, frequently worked against Nigerian leadership in the sub-region.
5. Poor image caused by corruption and indiscipline: Corruption, drug trafficking, advance-fee fraud ("419") and human-rights abuses damaged Nigeria's reputation, subjected her citizens to humiliating visa restrictions, and undermined the respect she sought in the international community.