STRATEGIC OIL DIPLOMACY UNDER BUHARI: NAVIGATING THE GLOBAL ENERGY LANDSCAPE

Résumé

Nigeria’s economic vulnerability, rooted in its overdependence on oil exports, became especially pronounced during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari (2015–2023). The period was marked by volatile crude oil prices, evolving global energy demands, intensifying OPEC dynamics, and a growing international shift towards cleaner energy. This study investigates the strategic trajectory of Nigeria’s oil diplomacy under Buhari, focusing on how the administration navigated these turbulent global energy currents. Anchored in the Resource Diplomacy Theory, the research adopts a qualitative approach, drawing from policy documents, official statements, international reports, and secondary sources to analyze the patterns and implications of Buhari’s oil diplomacy.The central objective is to evaluate the extent to which Nigeria’s diplomatic efforts under Buhari succeeded in stabilizing its oil economy and repositioning the country within a Buhari reasserted Nigeria’s influence within OPEC, brokered strategic bilateral oil agreements, pursued foreign investments in the domestic refining sector, and embraced regional trade frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to diversify economic engagements. However, findings indicate that domestic structural inefficiencies, policy inconsistencies, and weak institutional capacity hampered the full realization of these efforts.The study is significant in understanding the intersection between resource dependency and international diplomacy, especially for resource-rich yet institutionally weak states. It concludes that while Buhari’s oil diplomacy reflected strategic intent, its limited outcomes underscore the need for deeper governance reforms. The study recommends institutional strengthening and diversification as critical steps toward sustainable resource diplomacy.