Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Nigeria's value-driven and pragmatic indifferent stance

Abstract

Nigeria's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine carried significant geopolitical weight within the Global South. Despite Western pressure, Nigeria adopted a carefully calibrated, value-driven, pragmatic indifferent stance that avoided overtly condemning Russia. While denouncing the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity, Nigeria emphasised the need for dialogue and diplomacy. This reflected Nigeria's pursuit of strategic domestic value-driven foreign policy that has embedded non-alignment principles and its Afrocentric worldview. Nigeria's position highlighted the challenge many Global South nations face in being caught between the West and Russia. Overtly backing either side could jeopardise their interests and economic ties. Nigeria aimed to uphold foreign policy principles and support international norms like sovereignty while keeping channels open with the West and Russian power blocs. Its position, which reflects Afrocentricism, bolstered its credentials as a leader representing the perspectives of the Global South. Its value-driven and pragmatic indifferent stance provided a model for global order-making, and its deft geopolitical balancing act allowed it to protect its interests while reinforcing its status as an influential force shaping the Global South's stance(s) on major international issues.