NIGERIA AND FRANCE RELATIONS IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM: ECHOES FROM HISTORY

The paper did set out to examine Nigeria – France relations from its inception up to the new millennium and the lessons herein for African policy managers. By the reasons of the colonialism and imperialism, World War II, and the changing global political and economic dynamics, France had been effectively positioned for involvements in the Africa. The interference and involvement in Africa is traceable to the Berlin conference of 1884 -85 where modalities for carving up of the African continent was done. In other words, the European colonial project in Africa did principally accounts or marks the beginning of France’s relations with Africa. This European colonial project in Africa was primarily design to “inferiorize” the Africans and Africa, in order to position the continent for the taking – economically, socially and politically. But the snag in France’s foreign policy projections in post-colonial Africa, especially, in the sub-region of West Africa where Nigeria holds sway, the pendulum of relationship had continually swung between “friendship” and “foe” or rivalry and enemy, and reactionary and proactive, thus the question - why the continued to and fro swing of relationship between the two states. Other additional questions includes why and what reason(s) underpinnings this froze relationships. The attempt at proffering answers to the questions raised necessitated the reconsideration thus the recommendations canvassed herein.