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FOREIGN POLICY AND THE PATH TO PEACE IN A DANGEROUS NEIGHBOURHOOD

Published

7 months ago

January 8, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

FOREIGN POLICY AND THE PATH TO PEACE IN A DANGEROUS NEIGHBOURHOOD

By: Michael
Mike

Nigeria’s foreign policy to promote peace and prosperity is a constitutional obligation as much as it is a considered and sensible manifesto pledge, writes Hon Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

I was born in a civil war and was not able to vote for my leader until I was in my 30s. Nigeria is now a country guided by the rule of law and a constitution that clearly defines our system of government. This includes our foreign policy objectives, and rightly so, because in an interconnected world, we define our sovereignty in the context of certain, key principles: our right to self-determination; our right to defend our autonomy and secure our borders; and responsibility to respect our obligations under international law.

As foreign minister, I think these provisions are not just reasonable but vital – both for our own democracy, domestic peace and prosperity but also for a more just and stable international order. But the point is this: it is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not the manifesto of a political party or predilections of a particular politician, that lays out these provisions. In a democracy, we have the privilege of healthy debate about our values, policies and performance. But if we are to live up to the responsibilities that come with democracy, that debate should be informed, fair and reasonable.

I respect the Constitution and its vision for Nigeria’s place in the international community, as do many of us. It has been an honour and a privilege to protect and promote those constitutional principles. They are the best guarantees for legitimacy, and the authority all governments need if they are to deliver. It is complex and time consuming. To our cost, we have learnt that there are no short cuts. Some Nigerians find fault in our Constitution, while others seek to amend it. There is always room for serious debate in a healthy democracy. But the fact remains it is the very document that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and every public official has sworn to uphold since 1999.

Nigeria’s Constitution declares that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria, from whom government, through this Constitution, derives all its powers and authority. The same Chapter of the Constitution goes on to state Nigeria’s five foreign policy objectives: promotion and protection of the national interest, African integration and support for African unity, promotion of international cooperation for peace and mutual respect, respect of international law and treaty obligations and promotion of a just world economic order. Those who suggest Nigeria does not have a foreign policy or those who agitate for a shift away from an Afro-centric foreign policy are wrong; either they are ill-informed, or deliberately disingenuous.

The irony of it all is that Nigerians are able to speak in support of our military-ruled neighbours, governed without constitutions, precisely because Chapter Four of our own constitution guarantees them these rights and freedoms. This is not the same for the citizens ruled by the very regimes for which they seek to cheerlead of those countries governed without constitutions. Nigerians who are older than 30 know this to be true because we have been there, done that. Somehow in the passage of time, some forget that the military regime here that despatched troops to restore democracy in Sierra Leone and Liberia in the 1990s had first – and by force – taken that same democracy and rule of law away from us – just as military regimes continue to do the world over.

The Constitution also makes clear why any responsible Nigerian government should be concerned when neighbours are governed without a constitution or codified rules. It goes without saying that the sovereignty of our neighbours is their business. They can grant powers to whatever governing structures they deem fit and should expect their autonomy to remain safeguarded. But when our Interdependence Sovereignty overlaps, we equally have a right to exercise control over our borders in those cases where neighbours face insurgencies that significantly comprise territorial integrity and state authority.

International Legal Sovereignty also becomes an issue when we consider that respect for international law and treaty obligations is one of our irreducible foreign policy objectives. This is not the Tinubu administration’s foreign policy; it is a constitutional provision that every Nigerian President and government official swears to uphold. Nigeria is a member of ECOWAS, which is founded on treaties and protocols to which our foreign policy objectives commit us. All 15 member countries are signatory to the treaties and protocols, which is why it was no surprise that President Tinubu, as one who swore to uphold the Constitution, abided by it when ECOWAS leaders collectively objected to Unconstitutional Changes of Government.

In reality, the contemporary nation-state system is highly competitive and Nigeria exists in a self-help world. Our Constitution and international laws are meant to serve as guard rails in navigating the system. And by virtue of our size, we have the additional responsibility of being the regional power. Regardless of how some may try to diminish our standing, it is the way other countries perceive us. Our Constitution further reifies this leadership role right from the preamble- dedicating ourselves to promoting inter-African solidarity, to the foreign policy objectives- promotion of African integration and support for African unity and elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations.

The Tinubu administration comes at a time when an interlocking suite of occurrences have made our neighbourhood less secure; implosion of Libya, failure of the EU Sahel Strategy, terrorism and criminal gangs, effects of climate change and population explosion. Nigeria did not create these challenges and was equally contending with its own domestic issue as these challenges escalated. Nigeria was not part of Operation Barkhane or the G5 in the Sahel, which were intended as efforts to fight terrorism and irregular migration but instead strengthened some irridentist Azawad/Tuareg groups that controlled border areas. This created a cauldron of disharmony between them and their national militaries, trained for a lifetime to keep their countries intact.

Nor was Nigeria part of the Partnership Framework with Third countries that conditioned aid and trade deals for Sahelian migration transit states in exchange for reducing the flow of migrants, with penalties for those who do not comply. In the case of Niger, a moment of truth was the passing of Law 2015-36 in May 2015 when its government, in consultation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and technical and financial support from the European Union and its member states, criminalized ancillary activities of the migration economy, such as providing transportation and accommodation to foreign nationals anywhere north of Agadez, in direct contravention of ECOWAS Protocol on the free movement of people. They were persuaded to use a blunt hammer to crack a delicate nut. There is a highly politicised migration crisis in parts of Europe, that together we can and should resolve. But it was reckless to seek to solve one problem by creating another.

There is a reason why we have free movement in West Africa; seasonal migration- referred to in Hausa as ‘Ci Rani’. Seasonal migration in the semi-arid Sahel can be a matter of life and death, which is why we have always had turbaned Tuaregs going as far as Lagos and Port Harcourt to work as Maigadis (security) during the dry months, only to return back north during the rainy season. The weaponisation of sub-Saharan migration in Europe as a political tool led to the securitisation of the Sahel region, further exacerbating the security situation by forcing many of those affected to turn to criminal activities and terrorism. European migration figures show majority of migrants are from Syria, Afghanistan and Central Asia, not sub-Saharan Africa.

Yes, we need to work with our Sahelian neighbours to fight terrorism, by maintaining a right of pursuit into each others territories. But it would be myopic to think of this in absolutist terms, because we can accede to all conditionalities laid by them, it would still not be enough to tackle the challenges without a lasting solution to the bifurcated Libyan State as a source of weapons, training and fighters, as well as the shadowy involvement of a range of other state and non-state actors.

To achieve a lasting peace in Libya and the Sahel, Nigeria needs to deal with all the countries in the neighbourhood as well as all the major powers. For this reason, it does not make sense to simply deduce that Nigeria has to distance itself from France because that is the prevailing trend in its former colonies. The fulcrum of the Tinubu administration’s foreign policy is Strategic Autonomy, providing us with the clarity to engage with any and all nations based on our national interests and not those of others. As a nation, Nigeria is adult enough and sophisticated enough to deal with countries without being unduly influenced, because that has been part of our historical and civic tradition. You cannot cure an illness by picking which symptoms to consider and which to ignore.

Nigeria and ECOWAS will continue diplomatic efforts towards Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. At a minimum, we have shared interest in peaceful co-existence. President Tinubu has sent a number of high-level delegations that included a former Head of State, traditional rulers and religious scholars. President Tinubu pushed for the unconditional removal of ECOWAS sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. What he has consistently asked of the countries in question is for them to come up with a timetable for the restoration of constitutional rule and, in the case of Niger, the release of ousted President Bazoum.

Their response was to declare their intention to leave ECOWAS. With the one-year notice period coming to an end in January 2025, President Tinubu further pushed for ECOWAS to extend the grace period for another six months whilst intensifying diplomatic efforts. The response to this initiative last month was evidence-free allegations that Nigeria was harbouring foreign soldiers and as sponsoring state terrorism. Whenever President Tinubu and other democratic leaders offer stoic statesmanship and an opportunity to work together towards our common interests, it is met by confected controversy designed to divert and distract from a failure to meet the basic responsibilities of public administration. I know why coup leaders might seek to do that: it’s harder to understand the motives of apologists closer to home.

On my part, since assuming the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs on 21st August 2023, I have engaged diplomatically without pause, proposing personal visits and inviting senior government officials and representatives. Response has been akin to a diplomatic cold shoulder. We constituted a ministerial advisory committee that visited Niger and Mali and facilitated the visit of the Nigerian CDS to meet with his counterpart in Niamey. I regret that a proposed return visit was suspended by Niger after a date had been set. But let there be no doubt: we will continue to pursue diplomatic efforts assiduously, with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs that has existed for 67 years.

Nigeria’s principle of strategic autonomy is one that abhors the presence of foreign forces and private military companies in our region, whether from east or west. Nigeria presently has troops on peace keeping operations in Guinea Bissau and Gambia, with Sierra Leone on the way, where it is also supporting the setting up of a logistics base in Lungi. Nigeria is also leading the actualisation of the ECOWAS standby force, all in an effort to fight terrorism and instability within our region under the rule of law. We work closely with our partners on sharing of intelligence in order to guarantee the same rights and freedoms are enjoyed by all the people of the region.

As several of my colleagues in the region remind me, we are the hegemon, whether we admit it or not. And global politics works almost like physics, with polarity, ordering principles, distribution of power, balancing, etc. Nigeria has never had expansionist tendencies, never been threatening towards our neighbours and always chosen the path of peace and conciliation. This in part may have to do with the makeup of our polity and social fabric. Being such a huge country, we are used to the virtues of principled compromise. It is not by accident that we are the only country on the continent with six former leaders living in peace and harmony within our borders. Diversity, not division, is our strength. This is as true for Nigeria as it is for the smallest of countries – and collectively for all of our region.

FOREIGN POLICY AND THE PATH TO PEACE IN A DANGEROUS NEIGHBOURHOOD

News

Food Security: Stakeholders Call on Government to Evolve Policies to Dismantle Food Productivity Barriers

Published

43 minutes ago

July 22, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Food Security: Stakeholders Call on Government to Evolve Policies to Dismantle Food Productivity Barriers

By: Michael Mike

Stakeholders have urged the federal government to evolve policies that address the core barriers to food productivity, and that ensure environmental sustainability, public health, and economic resilience for smallholder farmers.

The advice was given in Abuja at the National Stakeholders’ Conference on Agroecology with the theme: Advancing Agroecology Principles and Practice for Food Sovereignty in Nigeria

The stakeholders in a communique after the meeting noted that agricultural systems across the world are under increasing pressure to meet growing food demands, stating that: “This pressure is high in Nigeria due to purportedly high population indices, coupled with climate change impacts, declining soil fertility, inadequate support for farmers and insecurity.”

They advised that: “As we grapple with this challenges, we must ensure that whatever actions we take are such that address the core barriers to food productivity, and that ensure environmental sustain-ability, public health, and economic resilience for smallholder farmers.”

They stated that: “Agroecology presents viable solutions to these interconnected challenges by emphasizing ecological balance, biodiversity, farmer empowerment, and food sovereignty. The shift toward agroecology and organic agriculture is gaining momentum in Nigeria with the active support of civil society, public institutions, and farmer-led initiatives. However, there is need for cohesiveness of efforts to ensure not only the adoption of agroecological practices but also an enabling policy environment as well as relevant research.”

The national conference brought together key actors in the agroecology and organic agriculture space including farmers, researchers, civil society organisations, youth and women’s groups, policy advocates and the media for a full day of dialogue, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning. The conference also featured a reportage on the progress of Agroecology and Organic Agriculture in Nigeria.

Specifically the conference showcased and discussed the current state of agroecology and organic agriculture in Nigeria; fostered collaboration among farmers, civil society organizations (CSOs), government ministries, academia, and the media; identified policy gaps and opportunities to scale agroecological and organic practices and exposed false solutions to the food and climate challenges.

The stakeholders observed during dialogue that agroecological practices can increase food sovereignty- which, beyond food security protects and promotes the right of choice and control by local communities and people of their seeds and foods.

“Agroecology assures healthy and culturally appropriate nutrition, increased crop diversity, improved soil health by enhancing and improving soil microbial populations, climate change mitigation through reduced emissions from industrial processes, climate change resilience through biological diversity and empowerment of local communities.

“Success stories abound on how agroecology can transform food systems e.g the introduction ofdrought-resistant orange-fleshed sweet potatoes in Pelungu, Ghana, improved food security and nutrition in a dryland farming area. In Kenya, the ParticipatoryEcological LandUse Management (PELUM) Network promoted African leafy vegetables, reviving traditional agricultural practices and organic farming techniques. This led to improved livelihoods, increased crop production, and stronger community-based enterprise. In Malawi, the ”NeverEndingFood”initiative uses permaculture-based agroecology to combat food insecurity. By diversifying food production and improving nutrition, it has created year-round food sources for communities, transforming degraded land into productive farms.

“In Nigeria, the Be the Help Foundation Agroeforestry farm effectively demonstrates how agroecology through agroforestry can assure economic empowerment for farmers as well as environmental sustain-ability.

“Barriers to agroecology and by extension, food sovereignty include limited knowledge, poor access to land (including land grabs) and credit for farmers, poor extension service, and dependence on toxic/synthetic agrochemicals.

“Another major barrier to food sovereignty in Nigeria is the spread of GMOs, which creates dependency on multinational corporations for seeds and food production. GMOs also lead to soil degradation through the use of toxic herbicides.

“The goal shouldn’t be merely to achieve food security but food sovereignty where healthy food is guanranteed, and the local people are in control of their seed and food systems. Food sovereignty must take precedence over mere food security.

“Food security cannot be achieved without local control over food systems, seeds and agricultural processes (food sovereignty). But this can only be achieved by creating policies that protect farmers’ rights and agricultural autonomy.”

They declared commitment to champion
the adoption of agroecological practices across Nigeria’s farming communities; Prioritize food sovereignty over food security in policy discussions and implementation; Advocate for research and development in agroecological methods suited for the Nigerian context, and strengthen both academic and farmer-led research initiatives; Ensure farmers’ rights to seeds, land, water and other resources as well as a preservation of their traditional seed varieties; Address the critical knowledge gap regarding agroecology’s importance for our national development; Promote local food systems that preserve indigenous knowledge and cultural food practices.

They also assured to push for government investment in agroecological research and extension services; Create improved communication channels and knowledge-sharing practices among farmers, communities, researchers, and policymakers to enhance the visibility and effectiveness of agroecological methods; Follow up with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on the plan to mainstream agroecology into national policies following the inclusion in Nigeria’s NDC 3.0.
End

News

Guterres: End of Fossil Fuel Has Come

Published

2 hours ago

July 22, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Guterres: End of Fossil Fuel Has Come

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres has said the end of fossil fuel has come, stating that the world has started embracing clean energy.

Guterres in a televised broadcast: “A Moment of Opportunity: Supercharging the Clean Energy Age,”said: “The headlines are dominated by a world in trouble. By conflict and climate chaos.
By rising human suffering. By growing geo-political divides. But amidst the turmoil, another story is being written.

“And its implications will be profound.
Throughout history, energy has shaped the destiny of humankind – from mastering
fire, to harnessing steam, to splitting the atom. Now, we are on the cusp of a new era.
Fossil fuels are running out of road. The sun is rising on a clean energy age.

“Just follow the money $2 trillion went into clean energy last year – that’s $800 billion more than fossil fuels, and up almost 70% in ten years.

“And new data released today from the International Renewable Energy Agency
shows that solar – not so long ago four times the cost of fossil fuels – is now 41%
cheaper. Offshore wind – 53%. And over 90% of new renewables worldwide produced electricity for less than the
cheapest new fossil fuel alternative.

“This is not just a shift in power. It is a shift in possibility. Yes, in repairing our relationship with the climate. Already, the carbon emissions saved by solar and wind globally are almost equivalent to what the whole European Union produces in a year.
But this transformation is fundamentally about energy security and people’s
security.

“It’s about smart economics. Decent jobs, public health, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. And delivering clean and affordable energy to everyone, everywhere.

“Today, we are releasing a special report with the support of UN agencies and
partners — the International Energy Agency, the IMF, IRENA, the OECD and the
World Bank. The report shows how far we have come in the decade since the Paris Agreement sparked a clean energy revolution. And it highlights the vast benefits – and actions needed – to accelerate a just transition globally. Renewables already nearly match fossil fuels in global installed power capacity. And that’s just the beginning.

“Last year, almost all the new power capacity built came from renewables.
Every continent on Earth added more renewables capacity than fossil fuels.
And renewables generated almost a third of global electricity. The clean energy future is no longer a promise. It’s a fact. No government. No industry. No special interest can stop it.”

Gutteres said: “Of course, the fossil fuel lobby will try – and we know the lengths to which they will go. But I have never been more confident that they will fail – because we have passed the point of no return.”

He explained that there are three powerful reasons; which are market economics as number one, stating that: “For decades, emissions and economic growth rose together,” but: “No more in many advanced economies, emissions have peaked, but growth continues.

“In 2023 alone, clean energy sectors drove 10% of global GDP growth. In India, 5%. The United States, 6%. China – a leader in the energy transition – 20%. And in the European Union, nearly 33%. And clean energy sector jobs now outnumber fossil fuel jobs – employing almost 35 million people worldwide. Even Texas – the heart of the American fossil fuel industry – now leads the US in renewables.”

He noted that “it makes economic sense.
And yet fossil fuels still enjoy a 9 to 1 advantage in consumption subsidies
globally – a clear market distortion.
Add to that the unaccounted costs of climate damages on people and planet – and the distortion is even greater,” decrying that: “Countries that cling to fossil fuels are not protecting their economies – they are
sabotaging them; Driving up costs;
Undermining competitiveness; Locking-in stranded assets; And missing the greatest economic opportunity of the 21st century.”

He said secondly, renewables are here to stay because they are the foundation of
energy security and sovereignty.

Guterres said: “Let’s be clear: The greatest threat to energy security today is fossil fuels. They leave economies and people at the mercy of price shocks, supply disruptions, and geopolitical turmoil.
Just look at Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A war in Europe led to a global energy crisis.
Oil and gas prices soared. Electricity and food bills followed.

“In 2022 average households around the world saw energy costs jump 20%.
Modern and competitive economies need stable, affordable energy. Renewables
offer both. There are no price spikes for sunlight. No embargoes on wind. Renewables can put power – literally and figuratively – in the hands of people and
governments.

“And almost every nation has enough sun, wind, or water to become energy self-
sufficient. Renewables mean real energy security. Real energy sovereignty. And real freedom from fossil-fuel volatility.”

He said the third and final reason why there is no going back on renewables is because of easy access.

The UN Secretary General said: “You can’t build a coal plant in someone’s backyard.
But you can deliver solar panels to the most remote village on earth. Solar and wind can be deployed faster, cheaper and more flexibly than fossil fuels ever could.

“And while nuclear will be part of the global energy mix, it can never fill the access
gaps. All of this is a game-changer for the hundreds of millions of people still living
without electricity – most of them in Africa, a continent bursting with renewable
potential.”

He noted that by 2040, Africa could generate 10 times more electricity than it needs – entirely from renewables.

Guterres: End of Fossil Fuel Has Come

News

Zulum Condoles Ogun State over Passing of Awujale of Ijebuland

Published

3 hours ago

July 22, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Zulum Condoles Ogun State over Passing of Awujale of Ijebuland

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has led a high powered delegation to condole with the government and people of Ogun State on the passing of Awujale of Ijebuland and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland,
Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

The monarch passed away at the age of 91 after reigning for 65 years.

Governor Zulum was received at the Ogun State Governor’s Office in Abeokuta by Governor Dapo Abiodun alongside the late monarch’s first son, Prince Adedire Adetona, and Prince Adejuwon Adetona.

Speaking during the visit, Governor Zulum described the late Oba as a person of proven integrity with unquestionable character.

“We are here to commiserate with the government and people of Ogun State, and in particular the family of the late paramount ruler, HRM Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON. The late Oba contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria and Ogun State”, Zulum stated.

The governor further noted that the relationship between the people of Borno and the Southwest is deeply rooted, with shared similarities in culture, religion and values which compelled him to personally pay his respects.

He prayed Almighty Allah to give the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, appreciated governor Zulum for the visit, stating that he is the first governor from Northern Nigeria to visit and commiserate with the state, “His Excellency, Governor Babagana Zulum, is the first to call on the people of Ogun State over the passing of our paramount ruler. We deeply appreciate this gesture”, Abiodun stressed.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Prince Adedire Adetona, expressed appreciation to the government and people of Borno State for the visit, noting that it demonstrated true solidarity.

Governor Zulum was accompanied on the visit by the Acting APC National Chairman, Hon. Ali Dalori; Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan; Hon. Bukar Talba; Hon. Abudulkadir Rahis and the Special Assistant on Political Affairs.

Zulum Condoles Ogun State over Passing of Awujale of Ijebuland