By Nigeria’s once-strong diplomatic leadership in Africa is fading, according to a recent report by the International Crisis Group titled Restoring Nigeria’s Leadership for Regional Peace and Security. The report, released on December 11, 2024, attributes this decline to political instability, economic struggles, and ongoing security challenges that have diverted the country’s focus from regional affairs.
The analysis highlights Nigeria’s diminishing role in shaping African stability, contrasting it with the country’s past as a dominant force in diplomacy. Once a leader in peacekeeping and liberation efforts, Nigeria has in recent years adopted a more passive and reactive approach, lacking the bold vision that defined its foreign policy decades ago.
A key example of this decline was Nigeria’s handling of the Niger coup in 2023. Under President Bola Tinubu’s chairmanship, ECOWAS imposed harsh sanctions and even threatened military intervention—moves that backfired and instead strengthened Niger’s ties with Burkina Faso and Mali. This miscalculation emphasized Nigeria’s weakened ability to shape regional outcomes.
Historically, global powers have faced similar challenges. The UK transitioned from colonial dominance to soft power diplomacy, while Japan has maintained international influence through economic strength and strategic alliances. South Africa and Rwanda, despite their size and internal struggles, have also managed to remain key diplomatic players.
For Nigeria to reclaim its leadership role, it must rethink its approach. Strengthening peacekeeping efforts within the African Union, leading mediation in conflicts like Sudan, and playing a more active role in ECOWAS decision-making should be priorities.
True leadership is not just about military might but about shaping narratives and influencing events before they escalate. If Nigeria wants to restore its diplomatic standing, it must adopt a more strategic, calculated approach to foreign relations.
