South East Journal of Political Science (SEJPS) 1(1). Enugu: Nigerian Poliical Science Associaion (NPSA), South East Zone 2014 ANALYSIS OF NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY, 2000-2014 David M.E. Nwogbaga, PhD 1 ; dnwogbaga504@gmail.com ; Department of Political Science Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki Joseph Okwesili Nkwede, PhD 2 senatorlife201l@yahoo.com Department of Political Science Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki Ogo, Nnanyere Chukwu 3 nnannaogo@yahoo.com Department of History and International Relations Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki Abstract The conduct of Nigeria’s economic diplomacy has received several criticisms with respect to its effectiveness in the pursuit of national interests and the advancement of the nation’s foreign policy. While some viewpoints hold that Nigeria’s economic diplomacy has impacted positively on the pursuit of the national interests and the advancement of the nation’s foreign policy, others contended that the potentials have not been fully exploited for the benefits of national development. With the aid of content analysis techniques and in the light of the dependency theory, this study set out to analyse the conduct of Nigeria’s economic diplomacy taking due cognizance of the effects on national development. The findings of the study showed that the conduct of Nigeria’s economic diplomacy which revolved around trade, investments, debt management, and foreign aids, was not adequately supported with sustainable foreign policy initiatives; as such, it could not adequately enhance national development as desired. Consequently, it is recommended that for the conduct of Nigeria’s economic diplomacy to substantially enhance national development, there is need to consistently pursue sustainable foreign policy by the various regimes. 1. Historical Overview of Nigeria’s Economic Diplomacy Economic diplomacy may be defined as the management of international relations in such a manner as to give topmost priority to the economic objectives of a nation through the application of economic measures or 1