National Role Conceptions in Foreign Policy: Towards Understanding Nigeria's Commitment to Peace Support Operations in Africa

Abstract The paper expounds the explanatory and heuristic value of role theory in foreign policy analysis. The objective is to determine the extent of role conception in Nigeria’s foreign policy and its attendant consequences to national development. The relevant of the paper is to explain the contradiction inherent in the country’s foreign policy objectives as manifested in the dispute over the ownership of Bakassi Peninsula. The concern here is not necessary how Nigeria acts in foreign scene, but why. The paper adopted historic descriptive exposition approach in analyzing the issues involved. The findings reveal that Nigeria’s self-assigned roles in West Africa sub-region and Africa at large is to say the least not base on quid pro quo basis. The country’s human population, natural resources and by extension enormous economic resources made her to perceived an ostentatious role in Africa. It concludes that Nigeria should shift from idealistic to realistic foreign policy objective with high premium on national interest, and the promotion of international peace should not be a basis for dissipation of its energy.