Despite the fact that Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960 from the United Kingdom and became a republic on October 1, 1963 and it is also a member of the United Nations, the African Union and ECOWAS; holding full legal and political authority over its borders and governance in international law, the question of whether Nigeria is truly a sovereign state or not still lingers.
According to a post by Capt. Alfred Olwuasegun Oniye, sovereignty is not merely a constitutional declaration but a functional reality.
At 66, Nigeria is rich in population, resources and still celebrated as the Giant of Africa, yet we can not beat our chest as an independent state in terms of security and development. A sovereign state must have the ability to maintain internal order and security, exercise control over its territory, protect its citizens’ rights and uphold the rule of law. However when a state fails in these duties, its claims for sovereignty becomes contestable.
Crises in the country such as farmers/herders clashes, Boko Haram, Banditry, kidnappings and insurgency are indications that the country has compromised its sovereignty.
Sovereignty is beyond mere flags and national anthems. In this new era, sovereignty must be comprehensive -economic, defense, border, political and legal.
The country’s dependence on imports for things that can be produced in the country like foodstuffs such as grains to feed the citizens is a major weakness on the side of the government. Rather than encouraging agricultural production in the country, where there is arable land for cultivation of all kind of crops the government resorted to importation of foodstuffs. Rather than refine fuel in the country, we export crude but import refined fuel at high cost. Funny enough Nigeria imports pencils and even toothpicks, which has jeopardized the country’s sovereignty.
Nigeria is rich with oil, gas and minerals but they are controlled by foreigners. Nigeria’s natural wealth is not beneficial to its citizens. Instead, multinational oil firms dictate operations and profits. Contracts favor foreign investors over national development. Nigerians remain in poverty amid natural resources, while foreign powers reap the rewards.
A country that cannot guard its boundaries has already surrendered its autonomy. Every untracked rifle that slips through the border, every illegal miner that drills into our earth without accountability and every bandit that storms a village without consequence diminishes the claim to sovereignty.
Nigeria can maintain its true sovereignty by securing its internal territory, building local defense capacity, and enforcing laws against illegal resource exploitation. Government must stop insurgencies, banditry, and kidnappings so citizens do not rely on non-state actors for safety.
Borders should be well guarde to avoid sneaking of illegal arms into the country. Nigeria must use modern surveillance and maritime patrols to stop illegal arms trafficking and smuggling across porous borders.
Nigeria should deemphasize overdependence on foreign arms for security but instead encourage production of local arms. The nation should build local military equipment and technology rather than depend entirely on foreign suppliers.
The state must actively prosecute and convict illegal miners, who steal natural wealth instead of ignoring violations.
The nation should strengthen trade standards and local manufacturing through organizations like the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to boost self-reliance.
True independence requires safeguarding free speech, protecting journalists, and respecting the rule of law. Nigeria should uphold the constitutional rule that power belongs to the people by ensuring governance directly serves public safety and dignity.
The Tinubu led administration should confront the collapse of Nigeria’s sovereignty with vigor. Local manufacturing should be a priority. This can generate employment opportunities for youths of the country and enhance exportation of goods.
No nation can claim to be independent when it cannot feed its citizens and power its industries. Government should guarantee food and energy security.
Any foreign company operating in the country should be ready to employ Nigerian citizens and build capacity.
Sixty–Six years, independence should not remain on parades, the country should be able to protect its citizens, feed them and also ensure development in all sectors. All institutions of government should be operational while corruption and nepotism be stamped out if the system must work.
If Nigeria cannot manage its own resources, protect its economic interests, or ensure its people benefit from their land, then the desire for true sovereignty will remain an illusion.
