Abstract

The pursuit of continental peace and security has remained a central pillar of the African Union’s (AU) agenda since its establishment. This review examines Nigeria’s evolving role in developing a Continental Peace Integration Framework (CPIF) that strengthens the AU’s foreign policy mechanisms for conflict prevention, mediation, and post-conflict reconstruction. As a regional power with significant peacekeeping experience, Nigeria has contributed diplomatically, militarily, and institutionally to peacebuilding efforts across Africa. The paper explores Nigeria’s historical engagements through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), its leadership in peace operations under the AU and United Nations, and its influence in shaping multilateral security doctrines such as the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). By synthesizing policy literature, official AU documents, and scholarly analyses, the study highlights the intersections between Nigeria’s national interest, continental integration goals, and the AU’s collective security paradigm. The proposed CPIF emphasizes cooperative security governance, early warning systems, and resource-sharing mechanisms to enhance the AU’s foreign policy effectiveness. Ultimately, this review underscores the need for harmonized regional diplomacy, institutional coherence, and strategic leadership to position Nigeria as a key architect of continental peace integration and a driver of sustainable African unity.