Nigeria's Foreign Policy and Regional Security Under President Muhammadu Buhari's Administration

Abstract

This study examines Nigeria's foreign policy and its contributions to regional security in West Africa under President Muhammadu Buhari's administration from 2015 to 2023. Anchored on the African Centrepiece doctrine and the Concentric Circle Model, the study explores how Nigeria's foreign policy priorities—security, economic development, and anti-corruption—shaped its engagement with regional security challenges. The research adopts a qualitative approach, drawing on secondary data and existing literature to assess policy direction and outcomes. Findings reveal that Nigeria maintained its traditional leadership role within the sub-region but adopted a relatively cautious and less interventionist strategy compared to previous administrations. Emphasis was placed on diplomacy, multilateral cooperation through ECOWAS, and the use of conditional sanctions in addressing political instability, particularly in response to military coups in West Africa. However, Nigeria's effectiveness was constrained by domestic challenges, including economic downturn, rising insecurity, inadequate funding of diplomatic missions, and delayed foreign policy decisions. The study further highlights the evolving nature of regional security, encompassing both traditional military threats and non-traditional issues such as terrorism, transnational crime, and socio-economic instability. It concludes that while Nigeria contributed to regional stability, its capacity to fully exert influence was limited by internal weaknesses and shifting global dynamics. The paper recommends strengthening domestic governance, improving institutional capacity, and enhancing proactive regional engagement to sustain Nigeria's leadership in West African security architecture.