Nigeria Foreign Policy During the First Republic: an Appraisal

ABSTRACT
The study is on Nigeria foreign policy during the first republic: an appraisal. The study relied mostly on secondary source of data in its investigation. The principles which constitute a guide and philosophy behind which Nigeria conducts her external relations were highlighted to include: Non-alignment, Legal Equality of all States, non-Interference in the Domestic Affairs of Other States, Multilateralism and Afrocentrism. No doubt, these principles have assisted the country in relating with the outside world. Findings from the study also revealed that Nigeria has not enjoyed enough security as the country is faced with insecurity problems on a daily basis. These insecurity problems and issues include but not limited to terrorism, armed robbery and kidnapping, Boko Haramism, poorly checked borderlands, high rate of migration of criminal elements, poor image crisis or image dilemma, inability to establish ranches to facilities and reduce the fiasco between farmers, herdsman and cattle rearers and so on. In view of this, the study recommends a holistic review of Nigeria's foreign policy principles to be in line with the current realities at the domestic and international levels. In addition, attention should be given to those areas of foreign engagements that will boost the domestic and international security of the country; instead of focusing on Africa, Nigeria should place more emphasis on the welfare and security of its citizens as it is often said, "Charity begins at home".