The quest for a complementary regional hegemonic dispensation has been an enduring component in Africa. While studies have recognised the increase in power assets of some states within the continent, literature is replete with the idea that no state can equal or defeat Nigeria and South Africa in contesting for regional powers. Though, this impression appears plausible. However, there are limited scholarly contributions to the devastating conditions that undermined the regional powers’ influential position to enhance legitimacy and positive image-making for African rebirth in global politics. It is against this backdrop that the current effort examines the constraints that hinder the credibility and attractive assets of the two regional powers in African policy. Relying on key-informant interview and secondary sources for the collection of data and the interpretive qualitative method for data analysis, the findings reveal that domestic limitations are major impediments to regional hegemonic powers’ dispensation. This article argues that possession of remarkable material capabilities without corresponding legitimacy and diplomatic means of ‘appealing’ to other states is not enough in the pursuit of hegemonic status. It, therefore, concludes that Nigeria and South Africa must tackle the domestic crises that consistently decline the credibility and continental leadership to curb the global inequality against Africa.

寻求互补的区域霸权制度一直是非洲的一个持久组成部分。虽然研究已经认识到非洲大陆一些国家的权力资产有所增加，但文献中充斥着这样的观点，即在争夺地区权力方面，没有任何国家能够与尼日利亚和南非匹敌或击败。不过，这种印象似乎是有道理的。然而，对于破坏地区大国在增强非洲在全球政治中重生的合法性和正面形象的影响力地位的破坏性条件，学术贡献有限。正是在这种背景下，当前的努力审查了阻碍这两个地区大国在非洲政策中的可信度和有吸引力的资产的制约因素。依靠关键知情人访谈和二手资料收集以及数据分析的解释性定性方法，研究结果表明，国内限制是地区霸权国家分配的主要障碍。本文认为，在追求霸权地位时，拥有非凡的物质能力而没有相应的合法性和“吸引”其他国家的外交手段是不够的。因此，它得出的结论是，尼日利亚和南非必须解决持续降低可信度和大陆领导力的国内危机，以遏制全球对非洲的不平等。本文认为，在追求霸权地位时，拥有非凡的物质能力而没有相应的合法性和“吸引”其他国家的外交手段是不够的。因此，它得出的结论是，尼日利亚和南非必须解决持续降低可信度和大陆领导力的国内危机，以遏制全球对非洲的不平等。本文认为，在追求霸权地位时，拥有非凡的物质能力而没有相应的合法性和“吸引”其他国家的外交手段是不够的。因此，它得出的结论是，尼日利亚和南非必须解决持续降低可信度和大陆领导力的国内危机，以遏制全球对非洲的不平等。