Leaders, Personality Traits, and the Foreign Policy Decision Making Process: Theoretical Aspects and Insights from Case-studies

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-26-08

Keywords:

Leadership Traits Analysis (LTA);, Personality, Foreign Policy Decision-Making, Behavioural Analysis;, Human Agency.

Abstract

Numerous factors influence a state’s foreign policy actions and decisions. These factors can be internal to the state (relating to domestic politics) or emanate from the external environment (international politics). Regarding the internal factors, the personality traits of political leaders (notably presidents or prime ministers) remain central in foreign policy analysis, especially from a psychological and behavioural analysis perspective. Understanding leaders’ personalities has been deemed to be critical for explaining why they make certain foreign policy choices and decisions. Methodologically anchored on a scoping review of literature and drawing insights from the United Kingdom (UK) foreign policy under Prime Minister Tony Blair, the United States under the George W. Bush presidency, Türkiye under Recep Tayyip Erdogan presidency, and Nigeria under Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammdu Buhari presidencies, this article discusses how leaders’ personalities and behavioural traits shape foreign policy directions of states. This review highlights the continued relevance of leaders’ personality traits and the centrality of human agency in a state’s foreign policy actions and directions.

Author Biographies

Luqman SAKA , College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Gambia; Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Luqman SAKA is a Professor at the Political Science Unit, Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of the Gambia, Republic of The Gambia and the Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. He also serves as the Director, Research and Knowledge Management at the Centre for Research and Policy Development, CRPD, Bijilo, The Gambia. He joined the service of the University of Ilorin in 2005 and was promoted to the rank of professor in 2022. He served as the Head, Department of Political Science, University of Ilorin (2018-2020) and briefly as acting Sub-Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ilorin (2021). He also served in the Scientific Committee of the Research and Action for Peace, REcAP Network (2022-2025).

Saka earned his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Political Science from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2002, 2005), and his doctoral degree in International Studies from Universiti Utara Malaysia (The Northern University of Malaysia, 2012). He was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Politics and International Relations, North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, Republic of South Africa (2015-2016).

Saka is an alumnus of the American Political Science Association APSA, Africa Fellows Programme, Ouagadougou 2013; the Institute of Federalism, University of Fribourg, Fribourg Switzerland, 2011; SEPHIS/SEASREP Alternative Research Methodology Workshop, The University of the Philippines, Diliman Campus, Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines, 2009; and Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, CODESRIA Governance Institute, Dakar 2007 and CODESRIA Writing and Publishing Workshop, Nairobi, Kenya 2006.

Saka has consulted for many international and national organizations including the United Nations Development Fund, UNDP (Gambia Office), International Organization for Migration, IOM, (The Gambia Office), United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA (Gambia Office), West Africa Network for Peace, WANEP and development Research & Projects Center (dRPC), Abuja, Nigeria among others. 

Saka published works has appeared in Comparative Sociology, Journal of Developing Areas, Brazilian Journal of African Studies, New Contree: A Journal of Historical and Human Sciences for Southern Africa, Africa Security Review, Hemispheres: Studies on Culture and Societies; Journal of Administrative Sciences, Journal of BRICS Studies and the Nigerian Journal of International Affairs among other reputable international and national outlets. 

For a complete list of publications, see:

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=81_amKEAAAAJ

ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7811-5268

Web of Science: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/ABC-5082-2021 

 

Lamin JUWARA, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ilorin

Mr. Lamin Juwara joined the Political Science Department at the University of The Gambia in 2024 as a Graduate Assistant, where he supports undergraduate instruction and academic research while pursuing his M.Sc. in International Relations and Diplomacy. His academic interests focus on security studies, governance, peacebuilding, intelligence analysis, and democratic development, with particular attention to West Africa and transnational security dynamics. His work reflects a strong commitment to linking academic scholarship with practical policy relevance.

Alongside his academic responsibilities, Lamin serves as Research Assistant to the African Diaspora Institute of Cultural Exchange and Historical Research, where he contributes to research on cultural history and the long-term societal effects of slavery. He is also a trained National Trainer for INTERPOL and a Certified Intelligence Analyst through UK Border Force International, bringing over seven years of professional experience in law enforcement with specialization in narcotics, transnational organized crime, and financial intelligence.

Beyond academia and research, Lamin actively contributes to civic and institutional development. He serves as Administrative Manager at Hilltop Radio 104.7 FM and works as a mediator and trainer with Peace Network Gambia, supporting dialogue, conflict resolution, and youth engagement initiatives. Across his teaching, research, and public service, he remains dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions, advancing inclusive governance, and promoting sustainable peace at national, regional, and international levels.

 

AbdulKareem Jimoh EDUN, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ilorin

Dr Abdulkareem Jimoh Edun is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, where he has been a faculty member since 2016. Before joining the University of Ilorin, he taught at the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, from 2005 to 2016. His professional career also includes earlier experience in the banking sector with Société Générale Bank of Nigeria, as well as service through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Since the beginning of his academic career, Dr Edun has taught, researched, and published extensively on issues in political science, with emphasis on international relations, regional security, conflict management, and strategic studies. His scholarship includes works on international relations, ECOWAS and West African security (notably his PhD thesis focused on “ECOWAS and Challenges, Conflict Management in West Africa: A Study of Côte d'Ivoire”), and the dynamics of insecurity, such as armed banditry, insurgency, and farmer–herder conflicts. He has also contributed to research on Nigeria’s foreign relations, multilateral organisations, and international relations, publishing in both national and international journals.
In addition to his teaching and research, Dr Edun has held significant administrative roles at the University of Ilorin; he is the current Head of the Department of Political Science. He has served as a Level Adviser, Department Postgraduate Seminar Coordinator, and faculty representative to several committees, including the Physical Science and Arts faculties, the University Dress Code Committee, and the School Debate Committee. He is an active member of learned societies, including the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), the Chartered Institute of Local Government and Public Administration in Nigeria and the Mid-West Political Science Association (MWPSA), and presented papers at major national and international conferences on topics such as anti-corruption, conflict and international relations, and religious extremism in Nigeria.
Dr Edun earned his PhD in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2016), his M.Sc. in Political Science from the University of Ilorin (2009), Master’s in Public Administration (2001) and his B.Sc. in Political Science from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (1998). He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Ado-Ekiti and a Certificate in Data Processing from Diskabog Computer Institute, Ilorin. His academic contributions continue to bridge the intersections of international relations, conflict management, strategic and security studies, shaping discourse in Nigerian and African political science scholarship.
For a complete list of publications, see: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=boMfWXUAAAAJ&hl=en

Malang FANNEH, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ilorin

Malang Fanneh joined the University of The Gambia as a Graduate Assistant in 2009 and rose through the ranks to become the Dean of School of Arts and Sciences, he teaches History. He also teaches MA students and supervises MA candidates in History.

Since 2014, when he started working as Lecturer II, Malang has researched, published and taught a range of courses with emphasis Gambia’s grains industry, diplomacy, Environmental history, urbanization, chieftaincy and he had also served as a teacher trainer at Gambia College for many years. Malang became a Senior Lecturer n the Division of Humanities and Social Science and was elected Dean of School of Arts and Sciences in December, 2024.

Malang earned a BA. in English Language and History (Double Majors) from the University of the Gambia; a M.A. in African History from The University of The Gambia); and a Ph.D. from the Department of History at University of Ibadan. He is the co-author (with Prof. Pierre Gomez) of Reclaiming the Mantle, published in 2015. He is also published several articles in reputable journals. He is a member of the Historical Society of Nigeria and presented papers at several of its annual conferences.

 

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Published

2026-04-09

How to Cite

SAKA , L. ., JUWARA, L. ., EDUN, A. J. ., & FANNEH, M. (2026). Leaders, Personality Traits, and the Foreign Policy Decision Making Process: Theoretical Aspects and Insights from Case-studies. BULLETIN OF "CAROL I" NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY, 15(1), 124–144. https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-26-08

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles

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