Sports and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy

Sports and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy

 

Abstract of Sports and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy

This study examines sports and Nigeria’s foreign policy.

The research objectives seeks to examine the relationship between sports and Nigeria’s foreign policy, to investigate sports as a means of diplomacy between Nigeria and other states, to study the problems militating against the use of sports as an instrument of Nigeria foreign policy and to examine possible solutions to the challenges against sports as an instrument of Nigeria’s foreign states through the participation in international competitions such as the Football World Cup and Olympics has helped shaped the image of the nation in foreigners and ensure we are at the forefront in the nation’s involvement with the other states. This gives the nation the opportunity to promote its foreign policy through its athletes and sports personalities.

The study   recommends that the government should create a platform which seeks to support its athletes and the establishment of advancedand stable infrastructures and system which will give the nation an opportunity to promote its foreign policy and develop a positive image abroad.

 

Chapter One of Sports and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

A state’s foreign policy consists of the strategies it uses to protect its international and domestic interests and determines the way it interacts with other state and non-state actors. The primary purpose of foreign policy is to defend a nation’s national interests, which can be in nonviolent or violent manners (Frazier, 2019).

Since independence, Nigeria’s foreign policy has been guided by certain principles (Ezirim, 2012). These are:

1. The protection of the sovereign and territorial integrity of the Nigerian state.
2. The promotion of the economic and social wellbeing of Nigeria.
3. The enhancement of Nigeria’s image and status in the world at large.
4. The promotion of unity as well as the total political, economic, social, and cultural liberation of Nigeria and Africa.
5. The promotion of the rights of black people and others under colonial rule.
6. The promotion of the international cooperation conducive to the consolidation of world peace, and security, mutual respect and friendship among all peoples and states.
7. Redressing the imbalance in the international power structures, which has tended to frustrate the legitimate aspirations of developing countries.
8. Respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all nations; and
9. The promotion of world peace based on the principles of freedom, mutual respect, and equality of the world.

This study seeks to establish an analysis of the influence of sports as instrument in Nigeria’s foreign policy and how the country interacts with other states using it as a platform for peaceful settlements and creation of friendly relations amongst states. Nigeria’s foreign policy is afro-centric.

According to Akintola (2007:439):

“From 1960 to date, Nigeria has maintained a relatively consistent foreign policy considering the fact that the country had experienced varied forms of government within this period. Right from Independence, Africa was the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy with emphasis on the emancipation, development and unity of Africans both within and outside the continent.”

The fundamental principles are geared towards protecting and advancing Nigeria’s national interest (Imam & Nuru, 2018). The principles include:

1. Respect for the territorial integrity and political independence of nation-states
2. Non-interference in the internal affairs of other states
3. Promotion of Africa unity through functional cooperation
4. Elimination of colonialism and racism and the promotion of world peace, and
5. Non-alignment in the Cold War struggle between superpowers and their allies (Nigeria Constitution, 1999).

Sport are all forms of usually competitive physical activities or games aiming to use, maintain or improve physical abilities and skills of people. Sport being a part of the universal culture, is an important instrument of combining different people in the world. It is an activity that contributes to world peace. It can be defined as a totality of activities realised in order to affect positively social and moral benefits as well as physical benefits. Sport does not have a stereotyped classic definition, but many different definitions (Boyacioglu & Oguz, 2016).

In establishing sports as an instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy, this study examines the historical role of sports in relations to Nigeria’s foreign policy.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Considering the ever evolving presence of contemporary politics, the advent of globalization alongside massive improvements in technology and growth in populations, it is safe to assume that the world is moving at a fast pace and developing new methods such as “sport diplomacy”, it is important for Nigeria to raise its standard and evolve itself to better enjoy more benefits.

The main issue that Nigeria experiences with its foreign policy is the want to solely cater for African issues while in most cases ignoring its internal problems and this has been a position that the state has maintained since the 1960’s with nothing to show in return. The state has continued to remain stagnant with the same issues and experiences which have been witnessing over and over again (Enuka & Ojukwu). Sport has helped improve Nigeria’s relations with other states, but it is important for the country out-grow its current foreign policy framework in order for it to achieve more as a state in our relations with other African countries and the world. This study seeks more creative and flexible means for foreign relations; thus, the researcher seeks to examine and analyse sports as an instrument for foreign policy which is turn enables development.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The general objective of this study is to analyse sport as an instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy. The study specifically intends to:

I.            To examine the relationship between sport and Nigeria’s foreign policy

II.            To investigate sport as a means of diplomacy between Nigeria and other states

III.            To study the problems militating against sports as an instrument of Nigerian foreign policy

IV.            To examine possible solutions to the challenges of sports as an instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

I.            What is the relationship between sport and Nigeria’s foreign policy?

II.            How can sport serve as means of diplomacy between Nigeria and other states

III.            What is the problems militating against sports as an instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy?

IV.            What are the possible solutions to the challenges of sports as an instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy?

SIGNFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will examine sport as an instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy. This study is important in exhibiting sport as a tool for diplomacy and an avenue for the promotion of Nigeria’s foreign policy. It examines the prospect of sport as a bridge for effective communication with various African and non-African state. Promoting the causes for unity and peace while maintaining Nigeria’s national interest and stance on global issues.

This study will be beneficial to the Nigerian government through the ministry of foreign affairs, political stakeholders, and policy makers in creating laws or policies that involves the use of sports for promoting the country’s image and national interest. Creating strategies and goals in order to achieve its target for an increase in stature in the international community. Also, this study is important to private sports managers, promoters, sports enthusiasts, students of foreign policy and the general public, because it gives an understanding of the relationship between sports and foreign policy.

METHODOLOGY

Methodology is part of the research that shows the ways and approaches of collecting data. This research is mostly qualitative as it is based on giving an analysis of sport as an instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy. The reason for choosing the qualitative analysis strategy is the exploratory and the qualitative nature of study involves collecting and analysing non-numerical data (for example., text, video, or audio) to understand concepts, opinions or experiences (Bhandari, 2020).  The research is based on secondary data, which involves the use of books, personal sources, journal, newspaper, website, and government records to acquire information.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The study is on sport as an instrument of Nigerian foreign policy with focus on football and the Olympic games. It will cover the relationship between sport and Nigeria’s foreign policy. It is important to showcase another angle of diplomatic relations by using sport as a medium or example as well as examining how our foreign policy supports this claim and provide insights to such findings.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Sport

An activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment

Foreign Policy

This encompasses the tactics and process by which a nation interacts with other nations in order to further its own interests

Sports Diplomacy

This uses the universal passion for sports as a way to transcend linguistic and sociocultural differences and bring people together.