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By Hassan Biodun Suleiman
Nigeria portrays herself and is perceived in the comity of nations as a key state-actor in international politics. From independence in 1960, the cornerstone of her foreign policy has always factored in the wellbeing and interest of her neighbours and the black people globally. All these manifested in her roles in the creation of the defunct Organisation of African Unity, now African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of West Africa States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), which assisted in quelling civil wars in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Gambia, Guinea and other West African countries.
Nigeria’s manifestation of African and global interest resulted in her severance of diplomatic ties with France in 1961 over the testing of an atomic bomb in the Sahara. In 1978, Nigeria also severed relations with Britain as a result of Nigeria’s nationalisation policy. All these actions earned her the name “Giant of Africa.”
No doubt, Nigeria’s foreign policy under successive military rules, 1966-1975, 1975-1979, 1983-1993 and 1993-1999 was robust. During General Yakubu Gowon’s rule, Nigeria’s wealth grew as a result of crude oil export. But to a large extent, the oil revenue was squandered on the payment of salaries of civil servants in Guyana as well as Trinidad and Tobago, hosting of a jamboree cultural carnival named ‘FESTAC 77’ and other forms of display of wealth, grandeur and sophistication. Nigeria also maintained diplomatic missions and offices in less desirable countries globally.
To further widen the scope of profligacy, the military regimes also put in place certain policies across the African continent. The Technical Aids Corps initiative was initiated by Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, under the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. The regime was considered to have brought the country to its knees, with its many domestic grandiose projects and policies such as the Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, Social Justice and Economic Recovery (MAMSER), Better Life for Rural Women, Peoples Bank and Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). These policies seemed to be conduit pipes through which public funds were siphoned. Expectedly, they all became defunct before the end of the regime. The era also witnessed a boom in cases of advanced fee fraud, otherwise known as ‘419,’ and drug trafficking. Painfully, all sorts of illegalities had their way at this time
The General Sanni Abacha administration contended with aggrieved civil societies. Media professionals and activists acted as the ‘voice of the oppressed’ and were subjected to draconian rules. The hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa and some other Ogoni leaders by Col. Dauda Komo, then military administrator of Rivers State under the Abacha regime, led to the expulsion of Nigeria from the Commonwealth in 1996.
Still under successive military rules, the country was regarded as a ‘pariah’ state. Indeed, Nigeria severed relations with powerful countries such as Britain, the United States of America and France. The height of its pariah status was the death of Gen. Abacha on June 8, 1998, and that of Moshood Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was annulled by General Babangida, on July 7, 1998.
The inauguration of Olusegun Obasanjo as the third democratically elected President of Nigeria on May 29, 1999, remains a watershed in Nigeria’s international relations. Obasanjo embarked on ‘shuttle diplomacy’ with the intention of cleaning Nigeria’s image globally. The Nigerian economy experienced dullness. Nigeria’s oil market also experienced turbulence with patronage at the lowest ebb. The country’s internal affairs witnessed the springing up of regional groups such as the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the South-West, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in the South-East, Egbesu Boys in the South-South and others clamouring for disengagement from Nigeria.
The legislative arm of government started gradually to learn the rules of democracy with the first Speaker of the House of Representatives getting involved in age and certificate scandals. Very little was done by the administration to diversify the economy and even utilised effectively the emergence of technology.
Successive governments, from Obasanjo to Muhammadu Buhari, had to contend with poor exchange rate of the naira, security problems manifesting in kidnapping, killings and displacement by herders. Southern Kaduna, Kastina, Benue, Plateau, Kogi are under the siege of cattle rustlers and unidentified gunmen’s killings. There has been mass movement of indigenes in the states relocating to other states for safety. Others have resorted to settling in internally displaced persons camps. Even in some of these IDP camps, life has been miserable there. According to some media reports, there is inadequate food supply, poor health service, poor sanitation, bad shelter and congestion. The whole situation in some of these IDP camps is terrible.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has the task of revamping the economy. Nigeria’s economy needs to be injected with technology. The era of relying solely on oil should be done away with. Thankfully, the President said recently “the era of satisfying our neighbours is gone,’’ while removing the fuel subsidy. The administration should as a matter of urgency pursue aggressively issues affecting our domestic affairs. The issues include poor exchange rate of the naira, insecurity, unemployment, tribalism, religiosity, disunity and integration among the geopolitical zones and the release of Nnamdi Kanu. The state of a country and its domestic affairs have a great role to play in its performance in foreign relations.
The government should change the mantra of foreign relations to “Nigerian state first and others.” This mantra will enable the administration to put citizens’ welfare above other variables. Nigerians at home need to enjoy the basic needs of life such as food, shelter and good health, among others. The increase in unemployment among Nigerian youth should be addressed.
Nigeria’s interest should be paramount in her dealings in foreign affairs. Nigeria’s economic, political, social and cultural gains should be harnessed to address its domestic affairs. In the cultural sphere, for instance, Afrobeat music is a viable export item for Nigerian youths. In the area of legislation, the Nigeria Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies has done well in providing training for legislatures in other African countries. It can also harness Trinidad and Tobago as well as some Asian countries. In the area of technology, the country can harness the potential of Nigerians in diaspora to market her youth for economic growth and sustainability.
•Suleiman, PhD., is a Senior Lecturer/Sub-Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos. [email protected]
