Developing a Cultural Diplomacy Framework Using Performing Arts for Nigeria’s Foreign Relations

Nigeria's performing arts represent a significant but underutilised asset in cultural diplomacy, and developing a professional framework for deploying them strategically in foreign relations serves both cultural and geopolitical objectives. This study developed a cultural diplomacy framework using performing arts for Nigeria's foreign policy, drawing on analysis of existing cultural exchange programmes and bilateral cultural agreements. A professional framework development methodology was applied, incorporating structured consultations with 15 diplomats and cultural attachés, 12 senior performing arts practitioners, and 8 foreign policy analysts, alongside review of existing cultural bilateral agreements and benchmarking against cultural diplomacy frameworks of China, France, and South Africa. Assessment confirmed that Nigeria's cultural diplomacy through performing arts was ad hoc and dependent on individual initiative rather than institutional strategy. NCAC's international cultural exchange budget was insufficient to support sustained performance diplomacy. The framework developed specifies six strategic directions: regional ECOWAS cultural diplomacy, global diaspora cultural programming, bilateral performing arts exchange, international festival participation strategy, digital cultural diplomacy, and performing arts economic diplomacy. Each direction includes target partnerships, resource requirements, and performance indicators. Expert review by ten cultural diplomacy and international relations specialists confirmed the framework's strategic coherence. Recommendations include a formal Cultural Diplomacy Performing Arts Unit within NCAC, dedicated foreign affairs annual performing arts exchange budget, and a five-year rotating cultural tour programme for flagship Nigerian performing arts companies.

Keywords: cultural diplomacy, performing arts, Nigeria foreign policy, international cultural exchange, NCAC