Nigeria-South Africa Relations: Theoretical arguments on Cooperation and Competition

Abstract

Cooperation and competition are central themes that shape the relationship between Nigeria and South Africa. Both countries, being key players in Africa, explore various forms of relations, both bilaterally and multilaterally, through political, economic, diplomatic, and socio-cultural interactions. Different theoretical arguments have been developed over time to explain competition and cooperation among states; however, most of these perspectives are Eurocentric. Applying African Realism as a theoretical framework, because of its Afrocentric approach to explaining cooperation and competition between Nigeria and South Africa challenges the narrow arguments of other theories, making them less applicable in this context. Using a qualitative method and secondary data, it was found that African states can simultaneously cooperate and compete, emphasizing that states will naturally compete for their national interests but also cooperate due to the Afrocentric value of brotherhood, which is the core principle of African Realism.