Academic Diplomacy, University Partnerships, and Nigeria’s Soft Power: The Role of University of Nigeria, Nsukka

Academic diplomacy, defined as the use of higher education institutions and scholarly networks as instruments of international influence and relationship-building, has gained increasing recognition as a dimension of soft power in the foreign policies of both established and emerging powers. Nigerian universities, historically among Africa's most renowned academic institutions, have the potential to serve as significant sites of soft power projection; however, this potential remains largely underutilized in Nigeria's formal foreign policy architecture. This study investigates the role of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in facilitating Nigeria's academic diplomacy through international research collaborations, student exchange programs, and institutional partnerships established between 2019 and 2024. The research employs a qualitative methodology, drawing on interviews with UNN's Office of International Programs and Linkages officials, faculty coordinators of international research grants, and international partner university representatives. Soft power theory and the concept of cosmopolitan knowledge production provide the analytical framework. Findings indicate that UNN maintains an expanding network of bilateral academic agreements with universities in Europe, North America, and Asia; however, the operationalization of these agreements is constrained by funding gaps, visa restrictions, and administrative inertia. International students at UNN report generally positive cross-cultural experiences but cite infrastructure and welfare concerns. The study concludes that Nigerian academic diplomacy requires a coherent national framework that positions flagship universities like UNN as deliberate instruments of foreign policy and recommends dedicated government funding for university internationalization strategies. Keywords: academic diplomacy, soft power, university partnerships, University of Nigeria Nsukka, internationalization