Abstract:
Nigeria and Iran has a long history of bilateral relations. Both countries are members of the NonAligned Movement, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the D-8 Organization for economic cooperation ((Developing 8) and most recently the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF). Iran is a good role model for other developing countries and given its experience in the1979 Islamic revolution it has a lot to offer to other countries in the world. This paper argues that Nigeria and Iran have opportunities and prospects for good and beneficial strategic cooperation though not devoid of challenges. It observed that the bilateral relations between both countries suffers more from perception than the reality of their bilateral engagements and that if that perception is overcome, both countries have a lot to gain from each other. The paper recommends the pursuit of Nigeria's interest, engagements based on reciprocity, focused and pro-active foreign policy choices as well as citizens centered diplomacy as options before both countries and concludes that adherence to these recommendations would aid the strategic cooperation between Nigeria and Iran. |
