Crisis Communication in Nigerian Diplomacy: Lessons from the 2023 ECOWAS-Niger Crisis

This study investigates Nigeria's diplomatic crisis communication during the ECOWAS response to the July 2023 military coup in Niger Republic, examining how official statements, presidential communications, and media management strategies shaped domestic and international perceptions of Nigeria's leadership. Crisis communication is a critical competency in modern diplomacy, requiring governments to balance clarity of intent with negotiating flexibility and public reassurance. Drawing on crisis communication theory and foreign policy analysis, this research examines the content, sequencing, and reception of Nigeria's official communications on the Niger crisis from July to December 2023. The study employs a qualitative methodology, analysing presidential addresses, Ministry of Foreign Affairs press releases, ECOWAS communiques, and media coverage from selected Nigerian and international outlets. Semi-structured interviews with diplomatic correspondents and crisis communication scholars provide additional insights. Findings are expected to show that Nigeria's crisis communication was initially assertive but became progressively inconsistent as domestic opposition to potential military intervention grew and ECOWAS unity fractured. The research identifies specific communication failures that undermined Nigeria's diplomatic credibility and contributed to the perception of indecision. Practical recommendations are offered for building a more robust and coherent crisis communication infrastructure within Nigeria's foreign policy apparatus. Keywords: crisis communication, Nigeria, ECOWAS, Niger coup, diplomatic messaging.