"Instrumentalizing" The United Nations: Nigeria and Its Quest for Regional Leadership in Africa. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oshewolo, Segun; Nwozor, Agaptus; Fayomi, Femi; Oluwatuyi, Motolani
• Is Part Of: World affairs. Volume 184:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Foreign Policy -- International Organizations -- Hegemony -- Nigeria -- Africa -- United Nations -- Sub-Saharan Africa -- Instrumentalizing -- Soft Power -- Regional Leadership -- Security -- Diplomacy -- Intergovernmental Organizations; Política Exterior -- Organizaciones Internacionales -- Hegemonía -- Nigeria -- África -- Naciones Unidas -- África Subsahariana -- Instrumentalización -- Liderazgo Regional -- Seguridad -- Diplomacia; 外交政策 -- 國際組織 -- 霸權 -- 尼日利亞 -- 非洲 -- 聯合國 -- 撒哈拉以南非洲 -- 工具化 -- 軟實力 -- 區域領導 -- 安全 -- 外交; International relations -- Periodicals; Peace -- Periodicals; Arbitration (International law) -- Periodicals; United States -- Foreign relations -- Periodicals; Arbitration (International law); International relations; Peace; United states; Foreign relations; Internationale politiek; Periodicals; 327.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0043820021990551
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-8200

Abstract

This study demonstrates that Nigeria's power scheme in the United Nations (UN) clearly amounts to "instrumentalizing" the world body in favor of its hegemonic interest in Africa. Through the UN, Nigeria has employed its abundant power resources to support the dismantling of apartheid and colonialism in Africa, contribute actively to the maintenance of international peace, and promote social and economic development in the developing world, including Africa. Nigeria's exploits in the above areas have yielded notable dividends, particularly the projection of the country as a leading African power. The notable dividends notwithstanding, there have been some major setbacks such as occasional disdain for Nigeria's interest and ambition in the UN by smaller African countries, overwhelming domestic security challenges, and the consequent waning of Nigeria's role in UN-mounted peacekeeping. The study recommends that Nigeria must urgently address these challenges to return to its position of prominence in the world body.