NIGERIA’S PEACE-KEEPING VENTURES: AN ASSESSMENT OF NIGERIA’S PEACE EFFORTS IN AFRICA SINCE 1960

摘要

Over the past two decades, Nigeria has shown herself not only as an important actor within the West African sub-region, but also discharges leadership responsibilities in the whole of Africa as well. These positions, as well as the commitment underpinning them, have been expressed more forcefully in the defence of West Africa which in cooperation with other countries within the subregion and abroad has helped in protecting the social, economic and security sectors of West Africa countries, through her leadership of the ECOMOG operation in Chad and the subsequent ones in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Cote d‟voire and Sao Tome and Principe, to its active involvement in Mali recently, Nigeria has demonstrated its will, ability and commitment to maintaining peace across West Africa. The country has also demonstrated its resolve for the promotion of economic, political and diplomatic cohesion in Africa by helping to secure the continent as well as rid it of protracted civil wars through her commitment of oil resources, political and diplomatic tactics. Hence, this study is aimed at highlighting Nigeria’s peace efforts in Africa and also throws light on the various motivations behind such efforts. It would again look at the challenges that confront Nigeria in her various peace efforts in Africa. It would as well evaluate the