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Shifting the Paradigm in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Goodluck Jonathan and Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020

Received: 4 October 2013    Accepted:     Published: 20 November 2013
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Abstract

Against the backdrop of Nigeria’s comprehensive framework for transforming herself into one of the twenty leading economies by the year 2020, this paper examines the foreign policy initiatives of current Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan. Identifying the welfare of the State and its people as the ultimate goal of foreign policy, it interrogated the relative extent this goal is the driving force of Nigeria’s foreign policy under Jonathan. It found out that the foreign policy initiatives of President Jonathan are focused more than ever before on Nigeria’s domestic priorities especially as captured in the vision 20:2020 document. This, the paper argues, marks a shift in paradigm when compared with the past when African issues dominated Nigeria’s attention. Noting that challenges still abound in all sectors, the paper makes recommendations aimed at improving Nigeria’s chances of attaining the goals and objectives of Nigeria’s vision.

Published in Social Sciences (Volume 2, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ss.20130206.16
Page(s) 212-221
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Vision 20:2020, Foreign Policy, Domestic Priorities, Paradigm Shift

References
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[2] Abdullahi, S. A. (2009). A New Vision 2020 for Nigeria at 49: Challenges and Possibilities. Downloaded August 2013 from http://www.nigeriansinamerica.com/categories/Nigeria-Matters/
[3] Adepetun, A. (2008). How to actualize vision 2020. Lord Mayor of London. Guardian Newspapers.
[4] Oladapo, A. (2004). Achieving Nigeria's development goals. http://allafrica.com/stories/200406210490.html.
[5] Alao, A (2011). Nigeria and the Global Powers: Continuity and Change in Policy and Perceptions. South African Institute of International Affairs. Occasional paper No. 96
[6] Anyanwu, K. & Uzoatu, U. M (2011). A fresh start for Nigeria. Downloaded August 2013 from http://derlimited.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=36&Itemid=38
[7] Beard, C. A. (1934). Property and Democracy. In Social Inventors, vol. 34
[8] Crab, C. V Jr. (1972). American Foreign Policy in the Nuclear Age, 3rd ed., N/Y: Harper and Row.
[9] Fitzpatrick, J. C (ed) (1933). The Writings of GeorgeWashington (37 vols.). Washington, D.C. X, 363, XXXV, 57
[10] Ikuomola V. (2011). France to back Nigeria for UN Security Council seat’, The Nation, Lagos, 22 May.
[11] Itua, F. (2011). Nigeria’s Vision 20: 2020: Myth or Reality? Downloaded August 2013 from http://the-politico.com/economy/nigeria%E2%80%99s-vision-20-2020-myth-or-reality/
[12] Jonathan, G. E. (2011). Address by His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Retreat on the Review of Nigeria’s Foreign Monday, 1st August. Retrieved 20/03 from http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/forum/ main-square/64643-president-jonathan-review-nigerias-foreign-policy.html
[13] Legg, K. R. and Morrison, J. (1971). Politics and the International System. New York: Harper and Row.
[14] National Technical Working Group (NTWG) (2009). Vision 20:2020 Report on Foreign policy
[15] Nnoma-Addison, F (2010). The United States and Nigeria: Celebrating 50 Years of Friendship & Progress In Pictures. Africa Media-Image Project
[16] Obijiofor, L. (2012). Insights. Retrieved from http://sunnewsonline.com/new/columns/to-serve-and-to-suffer/
[17] Okere, R. (2012). Vision 20:2020 A vision on the death row in the face of dying industries Downloaded August 2013 from http:www.ngrguardiannews.com/focus
[18] Okigbo, P. (1989).National Development Planning in Nigeria 1900-92. Fourth Dimension Publishing Company Ltd., Enugu
[19] Olukotun, A (2013). 2020: Failed vision and big power illusions. Downloaded August 2013 from http://www.punchng.com/politics/2020-failed-vision-and-big-power-illusions/
[20] Onyenekenwa C. E. (2011). Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020-Issues, Challenges and Implications for Development Management. Asian Journal of Rural Development, 1: 21-40
[21] Rosenau, J. N. (1974). Comparing Foreign Policies: Why, What, How, in James N. Rosenau (ed.), Comparing Foreign Policies, Theories, Findings, and Methods. New York: John Wiley & Sons,
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Okechukwu B. C. Nwankwo. (2013). Shifting the Paradigm in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Goodluck Jonathan and Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020. Social Sciences, 2(6), 212-221. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20130206.16

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    ACS Style

    Okechukwu B. C. Nwankwo. Shifting the Paradigm in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Goodluck Jonathan and Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020. Soc. Sci. 2013, 2(6), 212-221. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20130206.16

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    AMA Style

    Okechukwu B. C. Nwankwo. Shifting the Paradigm in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Goodluck Jonathan and Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020. Soc Sci. 2013;2(6):212-221. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20130206.16

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ss.20130206.16,
      author = {Okechukwu B. C. Nwankwo},
      title = {Shifting the Paradigm in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Goodluck Jonathan and Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020},
      journal = {Social Sciences},
      volume = {2},
      number = {6},
      pages = {212-221},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ss.20130206.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20130206.16},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ss.20130206.16},
      abstract = {Against the backdrop of Nigeria’s comprehensive framework for transforming herself into one of the twenty leading economies by the year 2020, this paper examines the foreign policy initiatives of current Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan. Identifying the welfare of the State and its people as the ultimate goal of foreign policy, it interrogated the relative extent this goal is the driving force of Nigeria’s foreign policy under Jonathan. It found out that the foreign policy initiatives of President Jonathan are focused more than ever before on Nigeria’s domestic priorities especially as captured in the vision 20:2020 document. This, the paper argues, marks a shift in paradigm when compared with the past when African issues dominated Nigeria’s attention. Noting that challenges still abound in all sectors, the paper makes recommendations aimed at improving Nigeria’s chances of attaining the goals and objectives of Nigeria’s vision.},
     year = {2013}
    }
    

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    AB  - Against the backdrop of Nigeria’s comprehensive framework for transforming herself into one of the twenty leading economies by the year 2020, this paper examines the foreign policy initiatives of current Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan. Identifying the welfare of the State and its people as the ultimate goal of foreign policy, it interrogated the relative extent this goal is the driving force of Nigeria’s foreign policy under Jonathan. It found out that the foreign policy initiatives of President Jonathan are focused more than ever before on Nigeria’s domestic priorities especially as captured in the vision 20:2020 document. This, the paper argues, marks a shift in paradigm when compared with the past when African issues dominated Nigeria’s attention. Noting that challenges still abound in all sectors, the paper makes recommendations aimed at improving Nigeria’s chances of attaining the goals and objectives of Nigeria’s vision.
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Author Information
  • Department of Political Science, Anambra State University, Nigeria

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