NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY UNDER GENERAL OLUSEGUN OBASANJO (1976 – 79)

SUMMARY

This work is anchored on Nigeria’s foreign policy under General Olusegun Obasanjo (1976 – 79). The basic thrust of this analytical study is that a system, particularly political system, is a set of elements in constant interaction; where the homeostasis of the system is maintained by a balance in the input and output variables of the system. In this context, the input variables are the policies of the leadership while the output components are the response or reactions of the people towards the policies so made by the leader.¹ Nigeria as a political system under Olusegun Obasanjo experienced this input-output matrix of the systems analysis. Obasanjo’s reform policies, removal of oil subsidies, sour relationship with the legislature and exclusive nature of the political space under his tenure were but some of the inputs of his tenure and policies into the Nigerian Political system.² The response by Nigerians was sharp and uncomplimentary, leading to several disagreements, overheating of the polity and industrial disharmony. To that extent, Nigeria’s political system remained entropic and tension –laden.