An Assessment of President Shehu Shagari’s Foreign Policy Legacy: Continuity and Change in International Relations, 1979 to 1983

Abstract

This paper evaluates the foreign policy legacy of President Shehu Shagari, who led Nigeria from 1979 to 1983. The paper examines the continuity and change in Nigeria’s international relations during Shagari’s presidency, with a focus on his administration’s approach to Afrocentrism, economic diplomacy, and conflict resolution. The paper argues that Shagari’s foreign policy legacy was marked by significant achievements, including the promotion of African unity and cooperation, the strengthening of Nigeria’s economic ties with other countries, and the resolution of several regional conflicts. However, the paper also highlights the challenges and limitations of Shagari’s foreign policy, including the impact of the Nigerian Civil War, the country’s dependence on oil exports, and the complexities of navigating Cold War geopolitics. Overall, the study provides a distinctive assessment of Shagari’s foreign policy legacy and its ongoing relevance for Nigeria’s international relations today.  The paper employed historical research approach in its analysis.