This book examines Nigeria’s declining political hegemony in Africa between 1985 and 2022, a period characterised by dramatic internal political, social and economic downturns that negatively affected her image and international relations. The study traces the country’s shifting leadership and foreign policies through different eras.

Chapters analysing Nigerian foreign policy internal dynamics, ideology, her military and civilian rule, and how these played out in Nigeria's regional influence, paint a holistic politico-historical portrait of a nation in hegemonic decline from 1989 continuing into the present day. Deploying National Role Conception as an analytical tool to contextualise and dissect Nigerian foreign policy, this book deepens our understanding of Nigerian international relations, and challenges preconceptions as to how, and through what lens, foreign policies of declining states can and should be considered.

Through its approach, the book offers scholars, students, researchers and policymakers fresh perspectives and tools for analysing foreign policies of states, particularly Nigeria. .