By Abba Hamisu Sani
Africa-Press – Nigeria. Tukur Abdulkadir is a Professor of Political Science and International affairs also a lecturer with Department of Political Science Kaduna State University.In this Interview with Africa Press the scholar digested issues affecting Nigerian Foreign Policy especially with regard to Israel Palestine War, Nigerian relation with China and the u-turn of Nigeria on its decision of using Military power against the Niger Republic Military Junta among other issues.
What are the main objectives of the Nigerian foreign policy?
In understanding the Nigerian foreign policy we can not discard the colonial legacies that shaped the policy that include the economic aspect as we embrace free market system ,Politically at the attainment of Independence we embrace Westminster or Parliamentary system of government , culturally and socially English becomes the official language and we try to imitate everything English.Even the first and second generation military officers were groomed and trained in some of the prestigious British Military establishments.
Right from the day one when Abubakar Tafawa Balewa took over the mantle of leadership as the first Prime minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria he actually spelt out some of the policy directions like non alignment ,protection of the sovereignty of Nigeria ,support for the freedom and liberation of all countries that are living under colonialism and generally solidarity with all black nations as well as non interference.He maintain our non alliance even though he was accused of being.
Pro west but to me as a student of International relations I think he was just being pragmatic for instance when the French conducted its infamous nuclear test in the Sahara, Nigeria is one of those countries that condemned the French test in the Sahara. Of Course the Casablanca and Morovia group which polarized African leaders Nigeria tilt to the west , but after the unfortunate event of 1966 which led to the termination of the first Republic, the military took over and initially the government of General Gowon after throwing the Ironsi maintained the robust non Alien posture of the Nigerian foreign policy but this time with vigor especially interns of fight against racist inflex either in Namibia, South Africa and Angola unfortunately the outbreak of the civil war in 1967 force the country to have a rethink interns of relationship with western world led by the United State of America as they were banking on the fact that must of generation of the military officers were British product but unfortunately the British blindly or shameless refuse to support the troops of the Federal government of Nigeria.
The main problem of Nigeria now is its poor economy and there is a need for economic recovery. Do you think Nigeria can use its Foreign Policy in recovering the economy ? Are you talking of the government of Ahmed Bola Tinubu ?
Yes Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has actually come up with the introduction of “4 D’s” that is Development ,Democracy,Demography and Diaspora invariably the idea of including the diaspora in Nigerian foreign policy drive is the passion for the desire of development and Democracy, government actually is trying to leverage on those in the diaspora and win their hearts in restoring back their confidence in case there is loss of confidence as earlier explain by President Bola Tinubu Nigeria is now a change country ,they should come an actually invest and not only invest but they should try to encourage other foreign investors to come an invest in Nigeria.
The issue of Demography I think they are also trying to leverage on the demographic strength of Nigeria may be trying to borrow a leap from Chinese and Indian experience as well as Tunisia and Brazil who demographic strength help them in their economic regulation the demography was actually use and it becomes an asset rather than a liability like what we are experiencing in our dear nation.
So let us look at the China Nigeria relationship ,China is now a factor to be reckoned with in the whole World as it engages in infrastructural support to different nations through loan grants and other financial activities. How do you look at the Nigerian relationship with China ?
I see China and Nigeria relationship as very constructive ,very productive I do not subscribe to idea that there is new form of colonialism this is a crude and cruel idea that have been spill out by the supporters of neo colonialist and imperial powers as they have their stooges in Africa and local Media who are spreading the bad news about chinese involvement in the nation’s economy Chinese has been involved in the transformation of Africa for years, the rail systems in Tanzania and Uganda actually were build for over four decades ago were constructed by the Chinese .
Nigeria’s engagement with the Chinese started when General Sani Abacha was in power and also we need to be part of the current multipolar order because weather United State of America like it or not ,weather any Western Country like it or not there is unfolding multipolar order which challenges the Unipolar system that actually the United State and her allies sustain since the collapse of the former Soviet Union and Nigeria actually should rather than allowing smaller Countries like Ethiopia ,South Africa and even Algeria as some of them have joined BRICS and BRICS is seen as counterbalance to the domination of World Bank so even the United Nation if care is not being taken people may begin to questions their relevance not to talk of Breton system which is crumbling. Nigeria should have been proactive inorder to maintain its position as the leader of the African continent but the way the country handles it’s foreign policies affect its position which if much is not done the mentioned countries will take over the leadership of the African continent.
Recently there are Military Coup in some of the West African Countries such as Burkina Faso and the recent one in Niger Republic ECOWAS leader who is the President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu threaten Niger at different occasions but at the end of the day the regional body turn to be a toothless Bulldog ,do you think Nigeria still continue to maintain its relevance in foreign relations with other African Countries ?
Well actually common sense and decency prevailed and the clearer understanding of the complexity and implications of the conflict and the actual situation in Niger Republic prevailed at the end of the day initially our President despite the legitimacy he enjoys as he was elected by the majority of the voters that came out during the 2023 election last February ,he almost acted out the scripted probably prepared for him by the France and the United State if he had actually invaded Niger Republic it would have been the biggest mistake made by Nigeria at present time ,it will put Nigerian North East and North West fighting and killing of one another ,killing their causing and brothers in Niger which would have really destroyed the parts of Nigeria.
Lastly let us talk about the Nigeria’s reaction to what is happening between Israel and Palestine. How do you view Nigeria”s reaction, did it make the right reaction or did Nigeria over react?
To me much need to be desired I expected Nigeria to come out openly just like we supported the oppressed black in South Africa ,Namibia and in other part of Africa when they were suffering from apartheid system,Nigerians in respective of our faith and ethnicity we all supported the liberation effort in South Africa ,Namibia, Angola and Mozambique despite the fact that we are conscious of the majority of the victims interns of demographic composition must of the people that suffered were Christians in the hand of their fellow Christians white apartheid rulers despite that the majority of palestinians are Muslim should not affect our sense of humanity.This is something that should touch our humanity and sensitivity as one of the foreign policy objective of Nigeria is the support for all the oppressed and deprived people of the World.Palestinians today are the worst hit of oppression and deprivation on the phase of the planet.
If a country like Nigeria is shying away from condemning the Zionists atrocities in Gaza and other occupied territories , Nigeria should not count it self among countries that should be counted especially on the final definition of the ongoing unjust order as represented by the United State of America unilateralism and exceptionalism based on their understanding of Unipolar arrangement that actually has since being used as instrument
We are in a multi polar World now .Nigeria weather the leaders are interested in actually redeeming or regaining their glory or not they should be ready for the worst because countries like Ethiopia ,Algeria and South Africa may likely take over the mantle of leadership from Nigeria interns of leadership in the continent and among the developing countries of the World.
In summary, is Professor Tukur Abdulkadir saying Nigerian Foreign policy has failed?
No ! I can not say that it failed .President Bola Tinubu is just about five month in power so we can not actually assess him fairly enough to say that his foreign policy has failed but I know at least giving the adventure that they almost embarked upon in Niger Republic and the way and manner the foreign affairs ministry reacted to the ongoing programme in the occupied Palestinian territory I think we should do better.
The International affairs expert says it is too early to judge the Nigerian foreign policy as must of the new ministers too over two months ago so let us see, my advice is that the President Bola Tinubu and other leaders in the country should understand that the situation from 1991 following the collapse of the former Soviet Union to may be 2014 before the involvement of Vladimir Putin in the Syrian civil war his involvement saved Syria ,save Middle east from conflagration that United State is doing and their acolyte in the Arab world .Nigeria should understand better the reality of the 21st Century geoPolitics.
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