NIGERIAN’S RELATIONS WITH BRITAIN AND FRANCE SUBJECT MATTER THAT AFFECT FOREIGN POLICY
INTRODUCTION
The relationship of Nigerian with Britain and France as regards foreign policy cannot be understood without first knowing what is foreign policy? For the sake of this study I shall define foreign policy as a strategy or planned course of actions developed by the decision makers of a country aimed at manipulating the international communities in order to achieve certain national interest. From the above one could infer that foreign policy is the articulation of a country's national objectives and how such objectives is related to other countries.
The evolution of Nigerian’s foreign policy could be divided into two, namely pre-colonial times and post-independent period. The pre-colonial times is when the entity Nigeria came into existence i.e. from 1914-1960, when the country was still under the colonial rule of the British government, while the second phase is from independence to date.
This study focuses on the second stage of the Nigerian’s foreign policy as regards to its relation with Britain and France because that is when we can say that Nigeria as a country really has an interest. From 1914- the later part of 1960, the interest of the British is the interest of the entity called Nigeria. A writer put is this way, the interest of her Majesty government in England is the interest of the then dependent state of Nigeria. The post independent period saw the formation of a truly indigenous foreign policy that was truly called a Nigerian’s foreign policy, with the coming of successive government the policy has been mortified. Since independence in 1960, the foreign policy of Nigeria has been like a chameleon, it changes in colour but its substance remains the same, Anyaele states as follows, the protection of our national interest has remained permanent in Nigerian’s foreign policy, but the strategies for such protection has varied from one regime to another. This means that all the government from independent to date has pursued the same goal and objective but in deferent way.
The formation and execution of Nigerian’s foreign policy from independence to date has been carried out fewer than fifteen administrations through the External Affairs Ministry. From the administration of Sir Balewa on October 1st, 1960 to the administration of present president Muhammadu Buhari on May 29th, 2015, they have all pursued the same national interest, the prevailing domestic and international affairs determines the actions and responds of external matters.
The strength or weakness of Nigerian’s domestic economy and socio-political conditions have been the basic problem of implementation of her foreign policy, Anyaele states that foreign policy is a reflection of domestic policy, it is the promotion of national interest at international level. One can therefore state that the evolution of Nigerian’s foreign policy stated when Nigeria gained independent as a sovereign nation and not when she was under the colonial authority of Her majesty government, because as a dependent nation she has no interest of her own except that of her colonial master.
NIGERIA-UNITED KINGDOM RELATIONS
Nigeria has maintained meaningful relations with governments of U.K, through which they have agreed on issues bordering education trade and joint military operations and training. Clearly, the Nigerian government is committed to fundamental democratic principles and the return of political stability. To achieve this, Nigerian government have aligned with countries such as the U.K.
Although the continent of Africa has traditionally been the focus of Nigeria's foreign policy for several decades, economic diplomacy is emerging as another significant priority. In this regard, Nigeria hopes to promote economic co-operation with the global community.
The scope of relations between Nigeria and Britain has, for reasons of history, been diverse and intense. Within one month of the inauguration of President Jonathan’s Administration till date official visitors from the United Kingdom began to arrive the country. The former British Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, was among the early callers, closely followed by the British Secretary of State for International Development, Mr. Andrew Mitchell, at the end of June 2011.
Prime Minister, David Cameron arrived Nigeria in July 2011 and held talks with President Jonathan in the course of his Working visit to Lagos. On Nigeria’s part, similar visit to the United Kingdom also took place at all levels of Government underscoring the close historic ties and bonds of friendship and partnership between the two countries.
The British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, was among the first world leaders to initiate direct engagements with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, within the first week of his assumption of Office. Thereafter, interactions continued on the margins of AU Summit in Malabo and the Commonwealth Heads of Governments meeting in Perth, Australia. These visits and exchanges have achieved the objectives of consolidating relations and opening new vistas of cooperation in diverse fields.
One notable context was in the field of development assistance which is handled by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). DFID provides Nigeria with a spectrum of aid and assistance in electoral processes as well as towards the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in country.
In the aftermath of the recent global economic crisis, Britain in collaboration with other EU member states, took measures to address the impact of the Eurozone financial crisis. Among these was the idea to implement cuts and spending review. However, due to the excellent state of relations between Nigeria and Britain, the latter has firmly committed that spending on Nigeria would rather increase than diminish.
The expectations of continued cooperation have always been high. These have been tested and reaffirmed notwithstanding inevitable occasional brushes, such as in operationalizing the bilateral air service agreement.
As a follow-up to the brief visit of the British Prime Minister in July 2011 and his discussions with Mr. President both countries have agreed to subject a number of key issues for continuous consultation by their top officials of their respective governments. These include:
- Prosperity: Creating conditions for doubling bilateral trade between Nigeria and the UK by 2014;
- Development: Assisting Nigeria efforts to achieve the MDG, including “enabling factors” such as deepening democracy and good governance;
- Security: Work together to lessen and eradicate national and international security threats, in particular from terrorism;
- International Affairs: Coordination and cooperation to achieve common international foreign policy objectives;
- Migration: Enhanced cooperation to promote the mutual benefits of legal migration and to counter –illegal migration, including issues are already the subject of a six monthly dialogue at senior official level;
- The 36 Plus One Training Programme: Creating avenues for young Nigeria diplomats under the scheme to train and interact with British diplomatic institutions and vice versa.
Other areas of notable accomplishment have been the common pursuit of regional agenda as exemplified by the British-Nigerian stance during the Ivorian and Libyan crises, and the concerted efforts in resolving the conflict in Guinea Bissau and Mali.
NIGERIA-FRANCE RELATIONS
Nigeria and France established diplomatic relations on 1st October, 1960, following Nigeria's independence. The establishment of diplomatic relations immediately after independence was evidence of the importance attached to France, given its historical relationship with Africa, and the leadership role Nigeria was destined to play on the continent. Since then, relations have been cordial.
The restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 opened a new vista in France-Nigeria relations, including exchange of high-level visits by leaders and officials of the two countries. The visit by President Jacques Chirac of France to Nigeria in July 1999, two months after the inauguration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, was the first by a foreign Head of State to Nigeria after the return to democratic rule. President Obasanjo returned the visit in February, 2000.
A new
vista in bilateral relations was achieved in June 2008, when late President
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, GCFR, at the instance of President, Nicolas Sarkozy visited
France. Relations between the two countries rose to the level of Strategic
Partnership. The visit resulted in the endorsement of a Joint Communique on
Strategic Partnership. The implementation of the
areas of cooperation detailed in the Joint
Communique has already commenced, as evidenced through the two-way high level
visit of several government and business delegations. These gains were
consolidated when President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, visited France and had
discussions with President Nicholas Sarkozy, on the side lines of the
Africa-France Summit on 1st June 2010.
The deepening relationship finds concrete expression in the level of economic relationship between Nigeria and France. Nigeria is the largest recipient of French exports and its second largest trading partner. France is Nigeria’s second largest foreign investor and Nigeria is the leading exporter of oil and related products to France. It is in recognition of this that President Nicholas Sarkozy pledged that Agence France de Développement would increase the line of credit available to Nigerian and French companies doing business in Nigeria.
The two countries also continue to cooperate in dealing with African issues both at the regional (West Africa) and continental (African Union) levels and have helped to achieve peace in the Mano River Union countries and other places. The same level of cooperation had been achieved in tackling issues of international peace and security through their cooperation at the United Nations Security Council.
The Political Department of the Embassy works to consolidate and expand the excellent bilateral political relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the French Republic through the various organs of our two Governments and people.
Nigeria’s relations with France within the last year have been anchored on renewed zeal for the advancement of the existing strategic partnership between the countries. In this connection, the then French Foreign Minister, Alain Juppe, led a high-powered team of French officials and about ten top leaders of businesses to Nigeria from 11th-12th November, 2011. During the visit, Mr. Juppe also held consultations with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga A. Ashiru on a wide range of subjects relating to bilateral and international issues of common interest to France and Nigeria. France has emerged as Nigeria’s second largest trading partner with a trade volume in the region of 5.5 billion per annum whereas Nigeria is France’s largest export destination in Africa. Nigeria hosted a session of the Franco-Nigeria Forum for Dialogue during the visit, on the platform of which those subjects were discussed.
In order to underscore the robust economic interaction between France and Nigeria, the former was the venue of the Honorary International Investors Council (HIIC) meeting which was held in Paris from 23-25 November, 2011 with President Goodluck Jonathan, accompanied by the First Lady, in attendance.
President Jonathan was received by the then President Nicolas Sarkozy during the working visit, a testimony to the excellent relations between the two countries which have assumed the status of a Strategic Partnership.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala signed the Agreement for the US$100 million loan granted by the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) to the Lagos State Government for the Lagos Megacity project on the margins of the HIIC meeting.
France and Nigeria have continued to extend mutual support and cooperation to each other the search for peace and promotion of democracy in West Africa. Measures identified included collaboration to stem the inflow of small arm and light weapons (SALWS) into the sub-region and strengthening Nigeria’s commitment to the promotion of harmonious economic development and integration of the sub-region.
The two countries have harmonized strategies and actions in other areas where both countries have abiding interest such as African Development Bank, West African Development Bank, ECOWAS, African Union and the UN Security Council.
The two countries also worked diligently on the convergence of the positions on developments in both Cote d’Ivoire and Libya. They have played crucial roles in enthroning and consolidating democracy in the two countries. Currently, they are working together to promote genuine national reconciliation and development in Cote d’Ivoire. Both countries also collaboration in rendering diplomatic support to the National Transportation Council (NTC). As part of efforts to consolidate the gains of the revolution, Nigeria and France interceded with authorities of the “new Libya” to embrace friendly governments with a view to restoring peace, reconciliation and national unity, democracy and respect for human rights of both Libyan and other nationals.
In the past year Franco-Nigeria relations witnessed common understanding and harmonization of interests on matters of security of the Gulf of Guinea. Consequently, France provided training support programme and maritime security assistance for the region, in the spirit of the MoU on Defence Cooperation and Maritime Security signed by both countries in May 2009.
In the field of bilateral economic cooperation, investment and trade promotion, France remained Nigeria’s major partner with many French companies actively pursuing opportunities in the Nigeria economy.
CONCLUSION
Nigeria, Britain and France have a deepening relationship which finds concrete expression in the level of economic relationship between countries, bilateral economic cooperation, investment and trade promotion have positively affected Nigerian foreign policy as it regards how this policy will encourage a more cordial relationship that will of mutual benefits.
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