Multilateralism and National Development: An Assessment of Nigeria’s Roles in the Development of International Organizations (IO) in Africa (1960-2025)

Authors

  • Basheer Olalere USAMOTU Osun State University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5648-8063
  • Musediq Olufemi LAWAL Department of Sociology and Criminology, Osun State University, Osogbo
  • Young Kenneth IRHUE Department of Political Science and International Relations, Osun State University, Osogbo
  • Oluwatoyin Adijat OWOLEWA Department of Political Science and International Relations, Osun State University, Osogbo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-26-21

Keywords:

Multilateralism;, Development;, National Development;, International Organizations, Africa.

Abstract

Nigeria’s participation in international organizations (IOs) has been a cornerstone of its foreign policy since gaining independence. Despite being a founding member of various IOs, including the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria’s engagement has not yielded the expected benefits. Based on this backdrop, this research investigates Nigeria’s participation in IOs and the role of Nigeria’s multilateral foreign policy in the development of Nigeria. Qualitative methods and liberal institutionalism were used to investigate Nigeria’s role in IOs in Africa. It has been revealed that despite Nigeria’s active participation and contribution to these organizations, they do not benefit as they should. This study has demonstrated that Nigeria played a significant role as a regional leader within African multilateral organizations, particularly the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Nigeria had contributed to regional security and promoted trade and cooperation. The
study recommends that Nigeria should be more conscious of its gains while pursuing its multifaceted foreign policy.

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Published

2026-07-01

How to Cite

USAMOTU, B. O. ., LAWAL, M. O. ., IRHUE, Y. K. ., & OWOLEWA, O. A. . (2026). Multilateralism and National Development: An Assessment of Nigeria’s Roles in the Development of International Organizations (IO) in Africa (1960-2025). BULLETIN OF "CAROL I" NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY, 13(2), 111–128. https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-26-21

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Articles

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