FOREIGN INTERVENTIONISM CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES FOR NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines foreign interventions in Nigeria, with the objective of determining its causes and consequences in contemporary times. To achieve this objective, descriptive survey research design was used for the study, which area of study covered the Federal Territory Abuja, Nigeria. Purposive sampling was used, with homogeneous sampling aspect chosen as it focuses on one particular sub-groups, from which 150 Respondents were evenly selected from the diplomatic corps, security agencies, academic. The study finds that causes of foreign interventions in Nigeria include insecurity, interest of foreign powers, poor economic condition and other infrastructural challenges, human rights violations and poor delivery system. Some of the consequences of foreign intervention in Nigeria were determined to be insecurity and poverty, exploitation by foreign nations, breaking Nigeria’s hegemony in the sub-region leading to poor economic growth, religious and economic rivalry. It was concluded that Nigeria’s rich wealth in human and material resources, and her standing as the major powerhouse in West Africa, her Big Brother status in Africa constantly attracts interference from foreign powers. The result is that there are mostly overt (rather than covert) interventions that can be linked to insecurity, interest of foreign powers, poor economic condition, infrastructural challenges as well as lack of respect for human rights abuses. Recommendation include that the country’s political and military leadership in Nigeria should understand the tenets of realism and act in the interest of the country. It was also recommended that interventionism can be mitigated by improved security network, and improved diplomatic engagement. Similarly, reasons for interventionism, which include insecurity, democratic development, infrastructural deficit and human right issues, should be addressed, so as to forestall interventionism.