An Evaluation of Personality Factor in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Implementation (1999 – 2025)

Abstract

This paper critically examines how individual personality traits of key political leaders, specifically successive presidents and diplomats, have influenced Nigeria's foreign policy implementation from 1999 to 2025. Through qualitative analysis of political behaviour, policy decisions, and international engagement, the paper highlights the significant role of leadership psychology of various presidents and their administrations in shaping the nation’s diplomatic posture. Using a multidisciplinary approach that blends political science, psychology, and international relations, the study evaluates the personal inclinations of Nigeria's presidents and foreign policy actors to provide a nuanced understanding of personality as a determinant of state behaviour. Through qualitative case studies of five administrations—Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and post-2023 leadership under Bola Ahmed Tinubu—the study identifies recurring patterns of personality-driven diplomacy, highlighting traits such as assertiveness, introversion, risk tolerance, and power motivation. Findings reveal that foreign policy under these successive administrations was not consistently institutionalized but often reflected and still reflects the individual president's worldview, rhetorical style, and psychological disposition. This personalization contributed to strategic shifts, inconsistent regional engagement, and fluctuating global alliances. The research underscores the need for stronger institutional mechanisms to moderate executive influence and ensure continuity in Nigeria’s diplomatic posture. Ultimately, the paper contributes to a growing body of literature advocating for the integration of psychological variables into foreign policy analysis within African presidential systems.