Over the years, Nigeria hoisted its foreign policy flag on the global stage by championing the fight against apartheid regimes in Southern Africa, playing a pivotal role in stabilising West African countries, and emerging as a key player in the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War era. At the time, Nigeria commanded respect internationally, confidently calling the shots and occupying a position of influence in global affairs.
Sadly, the once-celebrated status of Nigeria as the “Giant of Africa” has gradually faded into distant memory. What was once a powerful and respected voice has now become a footnote in the narrative of emerging global powers. The golden era when Nigeria received red-carpet treatment on the world stage has, unfortunately, been consigned to the dustbin of history.
In those glorious days, when Nigeria breathed, Africa caught a cold. The country was instrumental in ending obnoxious apartheid regimes as a frontline state, helping to extinguish the flames of racial discrimination across the continent. Nigeria’s foreign policy at the time was unambiguously Afrocentric—both in content and character.
Nigeria’s colonial history is closely tied to Britain, while France was never regarded as an ally but rather as a suspicious neighbour. This suspicion stemmed from the fact that all countries sharing borders with Nigeria were former French colonies. The French policy of assimilation differed markedly from Britain’s system of direct and indirect rule, which shaped Nigeria’s political evolution.
It is also important to recall the role played by France during one of Nigeria’s darkest moments—the civil war. France openly sided with the Biafran secessionist movement, contributing to the prolongation of the conflict that claimed millions of lives and destroyed properties worth billions of US dollars. This was despite Nigeria’s magnanimity towards French companies operating in the country before and after the war, such as SCOA, ELF Petroleum, CFAO, and the Peugeot automobile assembly plant.
This raises a fundamental question: is it the weather or French cafés that are so alluring as to persuade the Tinubu administration to embrace France as a close ally? Nigerians are keenly interested in understanding what has driven Nigeria into such a warm relationship with France at this particular point in history.
In the early days of his administration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Chairman of ECOWAS, attempted to mobilise the Nigerian military to quell the coup d’état in Niger Republic. This move was strongly resisted by Nigerians, who share deep cultural, historical, and religious affinities with the people of Niger.
Since the collapse of white minority rule in South Africa, Nigeria’s foreign policy appears to have lost its tempo, clarity, and charisma. Yet, recent discoveries of strategic minerals such as gold and lithium, coupled with the abundance of fossil fuels in the Niger Delta and Kolmani fields in the North, have repositioned Nigeria as a country of immense strategic importance in Africa and beyond.
Nigeria’s foreign policy must therefore be recalibrated to reflect its current strengths and opportunities, particularly in attracting direct foreign investment to drive economic growth and national prosperity.
The unfolding global power shift—from the dominance of the United States and its European allies to the rise of the Global South, led by the BRICS-Plus countries—should serve as a wake-up call to Nigeria’s foreign policy architects. President Tinubu must ensure that Nigeria is not caught gasping for relevance in a rapidly changing world order no longer dictated solely by Western powers.
Encouragingly, the recent nomination and posting of ambassadors and high commissioners appear to have calmed public anxieties, suggesting a renewed commitment to placing square pegs in square holes. The posting of Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu to the United Kingdom exemplifies this principle. His impressive track record and unalloyed loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria—particularly during his previous posting to South Korea—distinguish him as a seasoned diplomat.
The special relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom stands to witness a renewed awakening in economic and security cooperation. This era should aggressively pursue stronger, mutually beneficial trade and investment ties between both countries.
Undoubtedly, historical and contemporary economic relations—especially in trade and industrial development—will top the ambassador’s agenda as Nigeria-UK relations are elevated to a higher pedestal. Many industries in Nigeria that were initiated and nurtured by British industrialists can be revived. Nigeria has long served as a fertile ground for British businesses, where they once thrived and expanded.
A revitalised investment climate will be promoted to attract British investors, particularly in value-addition to raw materials through agro-allied industries. For instance, the Hadejia Sugar Factory—now privatised and owned by an indigenous investor—could benefit from strategic partnerships with established British firms such as Tate & Lyle, a global leader in sugar production.
The posting of Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu to the United Kingdom is therefore expected to facilitate and strengthen sustainable economic and business relations between Nigeria and the UK, anchored on mutual benefit.
Ultimately, the new perspective of Nigeria’s foreign policy must rest on reciprocity, mutual respect, and shared prosperity—principles that should guide Nigeria’s engagement with all global partners in this evolving world order.
Mahmud Shuaibu Ringim
mahmudshuaibu44@gmail.com
