Nigeria, the United States, and Foreign Policy in Africa : Security, Governance, and Resources

In the twenty-first century, Africa has become an important source of US energy imports and the world's natural resources.

It has also become a central battleground in the fight against terrorism.

As the most populous country in Africa, and the home of the continent's largest economy and considerable natural and human resources, Nigeria is the most important strategic partner for the US in Africa.

Set against this backdrop, this book explores US foreign policy in Africa, the challenges facing Nigeria, problems of development, good governance, and security, and the possibilities and challenges of US-Nigerian collaboration on issues of global security.

In so doing, it points to the growing role that emerging African powers can play in global security and also asks how a country like Nigeria can take steps that will prepare it to respond to US self-interest in the continent, particularly in the face of increased US military presence and increased US interest in African natural resources.