The fundamental objective guiding a nation's foreign policy is

1. Analyze the question The question asks for the fundamental (main) objective behind a country's foreign policy, meaning the thing that drives every decision a state makes in its dealings with other countries.

2. Explain the concept Foreign policy is the strategy a country uses to manage its relations with other states and international organisations. Whatever form it takes (alliances, trade deals, diplomacy, aid, or even conflict), it is designed to serve the national interest. National interest includes:

• Protecting the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity
• Promoting economic development and trade
• Ensuring security and the welfare of citizens
• Enhancing the country's image and influence abroad

3. Step-by-step solution

• Option B (foreign interest): A country's policy exists to serve itself, not other nations. Wrong.
• Option C (African interest): Nigeria's policy has an African focus (the "Afrocentric" approach), but that is a strategy and not the fundamental objective. Even that approach is justified by Nigeria's own national interest. Wrong.
• Option D (colonial interest): This serves former colonial powers, not an independent nation. Wrong.
• Option A (national interest): Every other goal in foreign policy flows from this. Correct.

4. Answer The correct option is A. national interest.

5. Exam tip When you see "fundamental," "basic," or "primary" objective of foreign policy, think national interest. It is the standard answer in Government and also appears in the CRK/Social Studies-style questions on international relations. Remember: "Foreign policy is domestic interest projected abroad."