LAUSR

Abstract The objective of this paper is to offer a theoretical and methodological investigation into the character of Nigerian foreign policy within the Commonwealth and the United Nations and how it has been able to use its military to advance democracy, peace, and security following its return to the civilian rule in 1999. Following the return of Nigeria to democracy and its subsequent reintegration into the international community in 1999, Nigeria, through its military, has consistently used the Commonwealth and UN, via ECOWAS and AU as a strategic platform in the pursuance of its national interests concerning challenges of security, and democratisation at home and across Africa. However, the major obstacle to Nigeria’s commitment to fully democratising the African continent has been an unhealthy rivalry between Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa. Consequently, for the African objectives at the level of the Commonwealth and the UN to be achieved, therefore, the two regional powers must pitch their tents together to accommodating their divergent interests towards the total relaisation of African objectives. This paper delves into Nigeria’s strategic relations with the Commonwealth and the UN since 1999. It also investigates how it has used its military power in ECOWAS and AU to partner with these organisations to export democracy, particularly in West African sub-region.