ABSTRACT
Among African countries Nigeria has long been seen as the driving force behind the African security architecture. The presidency of Obasanjo (1999-2007) especially has given Nigeria a powerful voice on the African continent. For the APSA, Nigeria’s activist peacekeeping role in Western Africa transforming ECOWAS into a security actor functioned as a role model for the rest of the continent. Obasanjo together with Mbeki and Gaddafi was essential in starting a much needed reform of the OAU. In terms of classical power indicators Nigeria tops African rankings. It is the most populous country in Africa and the largest economy, which seems to naturally assign the country the role of regional hegemon.2 Due to rising revenues from oil exports Nigeria increased its GDP from $59bn in 2000 to $244bn in 2011.3 With new statistical methodology applied, the country has now surpassed $500bn.4
