Nigeria’s declining global influence worrisome, says Agbakoba

Chinwe Odita

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has expressed concern over Nigeria’s declining ability to command respect and influence in international affairs despite its vast population, natural resources and strategic advantages.

Agbakoba said Nigeria possesses the population, natural resources, geographical advantage and access to the Atlantic Ocean, yet continues to struggle to translate those advantages into meaningful influence globally, a situation he said should concern every Nigerian.

In a statement on Monday, on his X handle, the legal luminary said his position was not driven by party affiliation.

“I have never been driven by party affiliation, and I have no intention of making that the basis of my position. My concern is not about political parties,” he said.

“What matters to me is the quality of leadership Nigeria gets,” Agbakoba added.

According to him, whoever becomes Nigeria’s next President must understand that governing in today’s world requires more than domestic political calculations.

He said effective leadership demands a deep understanding of geopolitics, geoeconomics, international relations and strategic positioning.

“The world is changing. Countries with fewer geographical and economic advantages are finding ways to assert themselves, command attention and shape conversations beyond their borders.

We must ask ourselves: what is preventing Nigeria, with all its advantages, from doing the same?” he queried.

Agbakoba noted that a country’s size does not automatically translate into influence, nor does its natural wealth guarantee international respect.

“Influence is built through purposeful leadership, strategic thinking, strong institutions, sound economic policies and a clear understanding of where the country wants to position itself in the world.

Nigeria cannot continue to measure its importance by what it possesses.

We must begin to measure it by what it is able to achieve with what it possesses,” he said.

He stressed the need for a President who understands developments beyond Nigeria’s borders and recognises that the nation’s economic interests, maritime resources, diplomatic relationships and security priorities are interconnected with global developments.

“This is not a partisan argument. It is a question of national interest. Nigeria must take its rightful place in the comity of nations.

And that responsibility begins with the kind of leadership we choose and the standards we demand of those who seek to govern us,” Agbakoba said.

For a better society

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