LITTERING THE LANDSCAPE: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF NIGERIA IN THE TRANSITION OF O.A.U TO THE AFRICAN UNION

Abstract

Every nation in the global arena pursues a foreign policy that is consistent with its existence as a nation and relates to other independent states in the international system. These policies are aimed at protecting the country’s cultural values, ideological goals and national security. Nigeria entered committee of independent nations in 1960 full of hope and vigor and ready to expend its political, economic and natural human resources for the growth, unity and development of Africa. Nigeria since independence thus pursues foreign policies that are in tune with the beliefs and aspirations of the founding fathers of this great nation, a foreign policy that is concentric in nature and content and which has as one of its core values-‘the Africa Centre Piece’. It is this core value of the Nigerian foreign policy that made our political leaders to vigorously pursue the goals of African development with full commitment. This paper titled: Littering the Landscape; An analysis of the role of Nigeria in the transition from the OAU to the AFRICAN UNION is an exposition of such commitments. The paper is divided into six sections thus: (1). Introduction, (2). Theoretical issues, (3). The OAU: Achievements and setbacks, (4). The African Union: Problems and Prospects. (5). The role of Nigeria In the Transition from OAU to the African Union and (6). Conclusions and Recommendations.