y important to bear in mind that Africa is divided into 4 regions, the West, East, South and Central Region. In each region there are states who take the lead in fostering either economic or political initiatives thereby qualifying themselves as potential leaders or hegemonies in this context. Drawing from various literature, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia have been regarded as core states in Africa. However, there has been a debate in the East African region of which one between Kenya and Ethiopia is a real hegemon, as Kenya commands the economic sphere in the region and Ethiopia the military sphere. In all, it is evident that South Africa and Nigeria have been termed as saviours of Africa in that Moi of Kenya once questioned about when will South Africa invest in Kenya with Kissinger administration having confidence in Nigeria and South Africa. To be practical, we have seen South Africa and Nigeria being the driving force behind Nepad qualifying the two core states in Africa the real hegemonies instead of leaders as seen by pessimists.
             WEST AFRICAN REGION: NIGERIA A HEGEMON?
             The discussion on Nigeria will be based on the challenge by Baregu and Landsberg (2003) when they question Nigeria along these line: "Nigeria has more legitimacy in its own subregion but lacks the military and economic capacity to act as an effective hegemon".
             After failure of OAU and later on Lagos Plan of Action, Wright and Okolo (1988) state that African economies, especially the west have been aware of the need for regional cooperation in promoting welfare and development, hence in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States was established (currently consisting of 16 member states) with the aims of fostering economic integration and the spirit of African brotherhood.
             POLITICALMILITARY ACTIVITIES IN THE WEST REGION
             Nigeria's foreign policy has been looking within the continent in that it supported struggle for libe...