The relationship between sports diplomacy and Nigerian foreign policy: A reiteration of the application of the 2009 national sports policy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47264/idea.lassij/10.1.2Keywords:
Nigerian Foreign Policy, National Sport Policy, Sport Diplomacy, Diplomatic Ties, Foreign Policy Tools, Interstate Conflicts, Foreign InvestmentAbstract
The inclusion of sports in the political domain of states has improved diplomatic ties among states in the comity of nations, though Nigeria's foreign policy framework remains Africa-centric. The goal of this article is to examine Nigerian sports diplomacy as a tool for pursuing its foreign policy. The study employed a qualitative approach and adopted liberal theory, which provides a comprehensive framework for examining the fundamental factors that influence a state's foreign policy. Nigerian foreign policy stipulates that the security and protection of Nigeria's independence as a sovereign nation, the protection of its nationals and their welfare, the enhancement of its reputation, and the holistic implementation of the 2009 National Sports Policy are all needs that must be met. The current study`s findings revealed that participating in or hosting international tournaments has a positive impact on a country. Nations that triumph in international sporting events, such as the Olympics and World Cups, do so by showcasing their brands, resolving disputes, and attracting foreign investment. The findings also showed that, to remedy the country's flawed sectoral policies, Nigerian sports infrastructure and services could not be managed solely by the government and instead required the establishment of public-private partnerships.
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