ABSTRACT
The study aimed at examining whether or not Nigeria’s foreign policy under former President Jonathan contributed in improving the image of Nigeria globally. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. A sample size of 399 was derived out of the 348,990 study population using the Taro Yamane. The data collected were presented in tables using frequency table as well as Pearson Product moment correlation coefficient, to test hypothesis. The study reveals that Nigeria’s foreign policy over the years has been greatly sabotaged by inconsistencies and ambiguities. The findings also shows that more than external challenges, it is the internal challenges that are dampening Nigeria’s attainment of positive international image and national transformation. Some of those challenges include leadership crisis, corruption, insurgency and terrorism amongst others. It was therefore recommended that major reorganization of the Foreign Service such that positions of the Ambassadors and other key positions will no longer be politicized and the government should integrate professional international public relations practitioners in its interaction with the international community in order to effectively boost the global image of the nation.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Nations seek to attain different goals and objectives in the process of governing their sovereign entities. While some of the goals can be attained by the States on their own, others can only be attained with the cooperation or active support of other similar entities beyond their borders. All decisions in form of actions or reactions, dealing with such matters requiring cooperation or active support of others across the borders of a given State for their attainment, fall within the ambient of foreign policy. Thus foreign policy is authoritative actions taken by governments or those governments are committed to take in order to either maintain the desirable aspects of the international environment or to amend its undesirable aspects. Also, Hoisti in Obi defines foreign policy as the action of a state towards the external environment and the conditions usually domestic under which these actions are formulated. This invariably means that foreign policy is the category of actions a government takes to deals with defence, security, international political relations and international economic relations. As a necessarily calculated and goal-oriented activity, foreign policy is purposive.
This purpose is altering or creating a condition outside the sovereign boundaries to gain national advantage, usually defined in terms of national interest. National image both at home and abroad is an ethical issue. It may appear intangible but the benefits and advantages flowing from a good image are inestimably unquantifiable. The perception of a country by members of the international community, how a country pursues its relations with others and particularly, the behaviour of its citizens at home and abroad can affect a country’s image thus, image making it an essential feature of a nation’s foreign policy.
In any country, when foreign policy initiatives are well focused, can help create and reinforce favourable images of a country to the external world. Consequently, the image a country attempts to create and project, through its foreign policy, must conform to its national interests, and the expectations of other members of the international community. Hence, Federal Ministry of Information stresses that a nation’s attempt to have a meaningful impact and influence on the world around will be guided by her foreign policy objectives and national interests and how effectively such disposition is transmitted or communicated to the world. In other words, foreign policy objectives and national interests must be systematically packaged and projected to achieve their aims.
Image building is one of the most essential responsibilities of public relations practitioners. This invariably means that public relations is concerned with how and what others thing about you either as a person or an organisation. These images or views are either favourable or unfavourable. Hence, the effort of public relations is to change negative image to positive perception. A country’s standing in the international system although dependent on some other factors, is highly dependent on the perception of her image globally. Nigeria’s image has been shaped by a number of factors since 1960. These factors include Nigeria’s Afrocentric policy, Nigeria’s big market for Euro-American finished products, Nigeria’s oil boom, Nigeria’s anti-apartheid policy, Nigeria’s policy of technical assistance, and several other factors that evolved over the years.
It has become very obvious that crime and corruption is the bane of Nigeria’s development. The current Boko Haram insurgency in the North-Eastern part of the country speaks volume. Internationally, the pervasive corruption in Nigeria has tarnished the image of the country and has resulted in foreign nationals exercising extreme caution in entering into business transactions with Nigerians, thereby weakening the economic sector.
President Good luck Jonathan following his victory in the 2011 elections, before the anxious 100 days in office, directed presidential advisory council on international relations (PACIR) to coordinate the reforming of Nigeria’s foreign policy to be investment oriented. Coupled with his interactive forum with Nigerians abroad during his foreign visits, the president asked the nation’s foreign policy experts, seasoned diplomats, professionals and intelligentsia to chart a new way for the future without discarding the past.
Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration focused on the following:
• Improved cooperation with other military forces all over the world to bring about peace globally;
• Improved bilateral and multilateral trade relationship among nations;
• Cooperation and assistance in curbing health challenges all over the world;
• Promoting the welfare of Nigerian’s abroad to ensure they are treated with respect and dignity at all circumstances.
1.2 Statement of Problem
The goal of every foreign policy is to establish and maintain a cordial relationship with other nations as well as to build a good image for a nation and meet its national or domestic interest. This invariably means that foreign policy is important in formulating, maintaining and sustaining a nation’s good image. The Jonathan administration, like many other administrations in Nigeria has never lacked good foreign policies. The problem of Nigeria’s foreign policy that is affecting the country’s image is not in formulation, but in implementation. In response to this, the research work therefore aims at investigating the effect of Nigerian foreign policy on its global image among the comity of nations during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration from 2011-2015. The research will also find out the extent of implementation of the foreign policy issues that President Jonathan focused on to implement.
1.3 Objective of the study
This research work aims to:
• To ascertain the public perception of Nigeria’s image in the global community under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration .
• To determine if Nigeria’s Foreign Policy under President Goodluck Jonathan policy had any implication on Nigeria’s image globally.
• To ascertain the effect of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy on her global image in the international community.
• To find out if there were challenges in implementing the Nigeria’s Foreign policy under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
1.4 Research questions
• What was the public perception of Nigeria’s image in the global community under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration?
• Did Nigeria’s Foreign Policy under Goodluck Jonathan foreign policy have any positive impact on Nigerian’s image globally?
• What is the effect of Nigerian’s Foreign Policy on her global image in the international community?
• What were the challenges facing the implementation of Nigeria’s foreign policy Under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration?
