National Interest and National Development in Nigeria

Abstract

The overriding consideration in Foreign Policy Implementation is always based on the concept of national interest. Therefore, national interest is highly central to the corporate existence of a nation. As vital as this concept is both to the existence of a nation and as basis for the analysis of foreign policy behaviour of states, it is subject to abuse. The president of any country could hide under the cover of national interest to perpetuate individual interest. The focus of this article is to highlight the danger of negating national interest and to point out avenues where national interest can contribute to national development in Nigeria. Historical-descriptive approach was used as a method of data collection and analysis which aided in drawing relevant conclusions.