NIGERIA'S AFRICAN DIPLOMACY (1960–2000): HISTORICAL PARALLELS WITH THE MING TRIBUTARY SYSTEM

Abstract

Africa’s post-independence diplomacy has long been interpreted through Western theoretical frameworks, often neglecting indigenous and non-Western traditions that provide alternative perspectives on regional leadership and cooperation. Nigeria’s Afrocentric diplomacy between 1960 and 2000 positioned the country as a moral leader and advocate for Pan-African unity, peacekeeping, and decolonisation. In comparison, the Ming tributary system (1368–1644) in East Asia represented a hierarchical diplomatic model where surrounding states acknowledged China’s symbolic authority through ritualised tribute and, in return, received political recognition, trade privileges, and legitimacy. This review explores the structural and normative parallels between these two systems, showing how both relied on moral authority, reciprocal exchanges, and shared norms to maintain regional stability without coercive dominance. Drawing on a qualitative narrative and comparative historical analysis of scholarly literature and policy documents, the study identifies three main similarities: leadership rooted in moral legitimacy, reciprocal diplomatic exchanges that reinforced cooperation, and an identity-based order founded on cultural or ideological values. Differences arise primarily from historical context, colonial legacies, and modern sovereignty norms. The review concludes that non-Western diplomatic traditions, such as the Ming system, offer valuable insights for understanding Africa’s evolving diplomacy. It recommends that African institutions like the African Union and ECOWAS strengthen regional identity, moral leadership, and reciprocity while promoting comparative research that integrates African and Asian diplomatic experiences into contemporary international relations theory.