RE-EXAMINING NIGERIA’S PEACEKEEPING INTERVENTIONS IN LIBERIA AND SIERRA LEONE: THE PROMPTINGS AND PLUSES

Abstract

This paper re-examines Nigeria's peacekeeping interventions in Liberia and Sierra Leone in order to analyze the motivation and benefits of these missions. It examines the Nigeria's Afrocentric foreign policy, which initially prompted the interventions. The study further critiques the gains derived from these interventions. Using the current economic climate in West African sub-region, the paper establishes that the Nigerian State has benefitted from the sacrifices of its military personnel in the conflicts were it intervened to restore peace and security. Drawing on insight from constructivist theory, the paper also argues that although Nigeria's benefits do not commensurate with the costs of these interventions, its corporations and private businesses have gained significantly in the expanding economies of these states. Within this theoretical framework, Nigerian government agencies have also benefitted from the stability currently experienced, with the Nigerian State-represented by these agencies- symbolized private international relations. The Methodology adopted is descriptive and qualitative, relying on secondary sources for data collection. The paper concludes that the Nigerian State is benefiting from its peacekeeping interventions in Liberia and Sierra Leone through Nigerian-owned businesses which symbolize private international relations. The expansion of Nigeria corporations and businesses in these states is attributed to the stability and democratic governance achieved, to which Nigeria's interventions significantly contributed.