Buhari's Personality and Its Influence on Nigeria's Foreign Policy Agenda under Civilian Rule (2015-2019)

Abstract

Leaders' inputs shape foreign policy at the highest echelon of a State decision-making apparatus. President Buhari is the 15^th Head of State of Nigeria (2015-2019) and is in charge of the Nation's foreign policy. Hence, this study emerged to assess the influence of his personality on Nigeria's foreign policy under his first civilian rule (2015-2019). In doing this, the study adopted a qualitative method, descriptive design, primary and secondary, and the role theory to arrive at its findings. This study revealed that Buhari's personality traits were shaped by his military background, childhood upbringing, life and leadership experiences. Such manifested in Buhari being a disciplinarian, a conserve and reserve person, slow to take decisions but committed to them when they are taken, and suspicious of lavish living. This translated into Nigeria's foreign policy Agenda of ‘Anti-Corruption, Security and the Economy' under his first civilian rule. His personality was also a plus for Nigeria's Foreign policy in pursuing these agendas. The international community accepted his antecedence and personality as representing a trusted leader with integrity to work with as a global partner