Covenant University Journal of Politics & International Affairs
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Covenant University Journal of Politics & Internationall Affair. Vol. 7 No. 1, June 2019 ISSN: p. 2354-3558 e. 2354-3493 An Open Access Journal Available Online Covenant University Journal of Politics & International Affairs Vol. 7 No. 1, June, 2019 A Publication of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, College of Leadership Development Studies, Covenant University. Editor-in-Chief: Sheriff F. Folarin, Ph.D [email protected] Managing Editor: Edwin O. Agbaike [email protected] URL: http://journals.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/index.php/cujpia URL: http://journals.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/index.php/cujpia Oluwaseyi Ogunnowo & Segun Joshua CUJPIA (2019) 7(1) 1-16 © 2019, Covenant University Journals All rights reserved. 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ISSN: p. 2354 – 3558 e. 2354 - 3493 Published by Covenant University Journals, Covenant University, Canaanland, Km 10, Idiroko Road, P.M.B. 1023, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria Printed by Covenant University Press URL: http://journals.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/index.php/cujpia ii Oluwaseyi Ogunnowo & Segun Joshua CUJPIA (2019) 7(1) 1-16 Articles Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Rethinking Nigeria’s Afro-Centric Foreign Policy Posture Oluwaseyi Ogunnowo and Segun Joshua 1 Girl-Child Education for National Development in Nigeria: A Critical Discourse Edidiong E. Udofia & Daniel E. Gberevbie 17 Exploring Nigeria’s Potential for Labour Exportation: Lessons from the Republic of Philippines Maureen Fubara & Sheriff Folarin 29 Bleeding the Commonwealth: An Assessment of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, 1985-2008 Abimbola Oyarinu 48 The Politics of Foreign Aid: A Study of China-Zambia Economic Relations Praise A. Ayinla & Sheriff F. Folarin 76 Resurgence of Militancy and the Challenges of Sustainable Peace and Development in the Niger Delta Oyinlola Abodunrin 97 URL: http://journals.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/index.php/cujpia iii Oluwaseyi Ogunnowo & Segun Joshua CUJPIA (2019) 7(1) 1-16 Covenant University Journal of Politics & Internationall Affair. Vol. 7 No. 1, June 2019 ISSN: p. 2354-3558 e. 2354-3493 DOI: 10.20370/7vp4-x223 An Open Access Journal Available Online Xenophobic Attacks in South Africa and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Rethinking Nigeria’s Afro-Centric Foreign Policy Posture Oluwaseyi Ogunnowo & Segun Joshua [email protected]; [email protected] [email protected] Received: 11.02.2019 Accepted: 03.06.2019 Date of Publication: June, 2019 Abstract: This study advocates for a review of Nigeria’s foreign policy from its afro-centric posture in response to the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa. The xenophobic attacks in South Africa have drawn the focus of state and non-state actors in the international system. Among other nationals, the attacks in South Africa have been against Nigerians. A total of 121 Nigerians have been killed since February 2016. Nigeria’s response to these attacks have been conservative and more declaratory than retaliatory, casting her as a weak country in the realm of international politics. This study makes use of secondary data from academic journals, books and newspapers. The study also adopts political realism as its theoretical framework. This study takes the position that Nigeria’s foreign policy should be reviewed from her afrocentric posture, to gaurantee the protection of her interests specifically the lives of her citizens in diaspora. Keywords: Afro-Centrism; Foreign Policy Nigeria; South Africa; Xenophobia Introduction foreign policy particular to that state The concept of foreign policy is through which such an entity will ascribed great significance and is an speak with a single voice (Waltz, essential characteristic of States. 2001:179) (Cited in Erbaş, 2013). Waltz argues that the existence of a States in the domain of international state necessitates the existence of a politics possess certain policies that URL: http://journals.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/index.php/cujpia 1 Oluwaseyi Ogunnowo & Segun Joshua CUJPIA (2019) 7(1) 1-16 help guide their interactions with that recurring decimals of other actors in the foray of world unemployment and poverty among politics. Foreign policies usually South Africans have given rise to fear encompass outlined objectives which of competition from more educated are aimed at managing resources to foreigners who might eventually engender profitable outcomes replace the lesser equipped and (Rolenc, 2013). Nigeria’s foreign educated South Africans. On the other policy has in past and recent times hand, Harris (2002) explains that the pronounced an afro-centric posture in xenophobic attacks in South Africa diverse issues in world politics. A can be attributed to a deep sense of pointer to this fact is captured in anger that arises over deprivation of Nigeria’s foreign policy principles basic amenities and needs left and national interest which surround unsatisfied. Recent attacks areas such as regional integration in particularly in 2015, were incited by West Africa and Africa, non- the words of the Zulu king (Babalola, interference in the domestic affairs of 2017). King Godswill Zwelithini was States, African unity and quoted saying “immigrants should independence, peaceful resolutions of pack their bags and leave” (Mhlongo, conflicts and so on (Ezirim, 2011). In 2015) (cited in (Mkandawire, support of this argument, Iganga 2015:193). (2013) further reiterates that the Nigerians have however not been nation’s foreign policy has birthed the spared in the recent spate of advocacy for issues at no benefit to xenophobic attacks which have taken herself. This has in diverse ways the lives of many and at the same time amounted to inestimable contributions caused the destruction of businesses to Africa. One of the notable and private properties belonging to contributions made by Nigeria as a non-nationals including Nigerians. result of her afro-centric foreign David (2018) asserts that, since policy is her struggles against the state February 2016, a total of 121 policy of apartheid as entrenched in Nigerians have been killed as a result South Africa by the minority Dutch of xenophobic attacks. On January 21 Boers beginning from 1948 2018, 14 Nigerians were arrested and (Danfulani, 2014) detained after protesting the incessant In recent times, the term Xenophobia killings of Nigerians. has garnered attention in the Juxtaposing the xenophobic attacks international system, particular among against Nigerians in South Africa with African States, owing to the killings Nigeria’s afro-centric foreign policy perpetrated by South Africans against which birthed support for the anti- non-nationals (Fayomi, Chidozie, & apartheid struggle raises questions Ayo, 2015). Through diverse efforts, about the relevance of Nigeria’s afro- several scholars have established why centric foreign policy. To this end, these killings are committed. Fayomi, this paper makes an argument in Chidozie and Ayo (2015) establish URL: http://journals.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/index.php/cujpia 2 Oluwaseyi Ogunnowo & Segun Joshua CUJPIA (2019) 7(1) 1-16 support of rethinking Nigeria’s (2015) attempt a dichotomization. The African centred foreign policy. term xenophobia is of Greek origins This work is arranged into five made up of two terms, xenos sections. The first section is the translated to mean “stranger” or introduction. The second section “foreigner” and phobos translated to reviews relevant literature. The third mean “fear”. Hence xenophobia to section presents the realist theory as Fayomi et al (2015) suggests a fear or the theoretical framework of the dislike of foreigners. Harris (2002) study. The fourth section argues for explains xenophobia as a negative the rethinking of Nigeria’s afro- attitude stemming from dislike, hatred centric foreign policy. The fifth or fear. Solomon and Haigh (2009) section offers conclusions and explain xenophobia as the fear or recommendations. hatred of foreigners leading to Research Methodology discriminatory behaviours including This study is qualitative in nature and violence. The term xenophobia can makes use of secondary sources of also be explained as “the deep dislike data which include: books, academic of non-nationals by nationals of a journals, magazines, newspapers and recipient state” (Bekker 2010:127) online sources. The research does not (cited in Hågensen, 2014:1). Saleh employ quantitative analysis. The (2015) explains the term xenophobia study makes use of a theory of as hate and violence premised on international relations specifically prejudiced discourses, leading to the political realism as revised from stigmatization of people based on available literatures to analyse the nationality. Hence xenophobia can be relationships between the independent explained as the exhibition of hatred and dependent variables. The or dislike for people of other independent variable in this study is nationalities, through violence,