Abstract

In the 1990s Nigeria has heavily invested huge amount of resources in promoting peace and stability in many African countries, especially its involvement in the conflict-riddled Sierra Leone. These activities have been perceived by many foreign policy experts as misplacement of priorities considering its domestic security challenges that have been neglected for over two decades. For instance, the growing insurgency and the increasing activities of militant groups across the country like Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) in the oil-rich South-south, the MOSSOB in the South-east and more recently the emergence of a terror group (Boko Haram) in northern Nigeria has greatly undermined Nigeria’s national security and its corporate existence. In light of these domestic security challenges, how can the huge investments of Nigeria in Sierra Leone be justified within the theoretical contexts of foreign policy and international relations? Does the costs of Nigeria’s engagements in Sierra Leone outweighs its benefits or vice versa? The paper, therefore seeks to examine the trends of Nigeria’s principle of promoting security and stability abroad and its implications on the competing needs for attention to domestic concerns, particularly the domestic security challenges that threatens the continued survival of the Nigeria state.

Key words: Foreign policy, conflict, mission, cost, benefit.