Interrogating the Health - Foreign Policy Nexus: The Nigerian Experience

The health-foreign policy nexus is explored in this article through a case study of Nigeria that interrogates the motivation for health diplomacy and demonstrates the institutions and mechanisms for its conduct. The aim of this article is to demonstrate how Nigeria, since attaining independence in 1960 has attached importance to utilising health as an instrument for promoting foreign policy. The article utilizes the primary and secondary methods of data collection. The primary data were obtained from oral interviews and daily newspaper reports. It further draws upon materials from the WHO Archives in Geneva and National Archives, Ibadan. Secondary data were sourced from books, journal articles, government publications and the internet. The data generated were analysed using descriptive and content analysis. The article concludes that the Nigerian experience reveals the linkages between health and foreign policy. Health engagements in the form of aid, assistance and cooperation are used as a form of soft power that fulfils domestic and foreign policy goals, including security, economic growth and other interests However, institutional pluralism, divided responsibilities and non-professionalisation of health diplomats have marred the conduct of Nigeria's health diplomacy.