The Myths and Realities of Niger Delta Crisis and Nigeria’s Foreign Image In The Fourth Republic

Nigeria has been portrayed in bad light due to its unimpressive image and reputation as a corrupt and mismanaged economy often blamed on bad governance and poor leadership particularly in the management of the Niger-Delta crisis. The research basically examines the myths and realities of Niger Delta Crisis and its impact on Nigeria’s foreign image in the fourth republic. Rentier state theory was used as theoretical framework. Mixed research design was employed while data were generated from both primary and secondary sources. The sample size of 400 was determined using Rakesh statistical formula from the target population of 1,380. Four hundred (400) questionnaires were distributed to the respondents. However, three hundred and fifty (387) questionnaire were filled and retrieved. Thus 387 out of the 400 questionnaire were used to analyze the data. The responses from the questionnaires were presented according to the objectives using, frequency table (frequency, count and percentage). Findings from the study reveals that Nigeria since inception as a federation has been a fragile and weak nation, Nigerian foreign image reputation has been greatly affected by some internal factors that have made the country not to secure a remarkable influence and respect in sub-regional, regional and global diplomatic relationship despite its wealth and commitment in assisting other countries, the weakness of the Nigerian state arises primarily from the incapacity of the state to deliver essential and basic needs to its citizens and the Nigerian state is a victim of high level corruption and bad governance, political instability, ethnic and religious conflicts among others. These challenges have clogged up the route to sustainable development, tarnished Nigeria’s image and caused the diminishment of Nigeria’s prominence both at home and abroad. The study strongly recommends that the country should accept external third party support for mediating and coordinating the peace process, as this appears to be the only basis on which negotiations with the militants can be effectively conducted. External support of the United Nations is particularly needed here, as this will guarantee a holistic approach to the problem.