At a time when a new global security and economic order that prioritises the “Global South” is being cobbled together, Nigeria is busy hosting the vice president of Columbia, a small North American country with no significant economic or diplomatic ties with us – and perhaps an even smaller prospect in the foreseeable future.
The Columbian Vice President was, understandably, over the moon with the MOU its country had signed with Nigeria. Who wouldn’t be?
She said her visit will kick-start a long-lasting relationship built on substantial cultural similarity and heritage.
Márquez assured that relations with Nigeria would benefit both countries, particularly in areas such as social justice, gender equality, and inclusivity.
“We have had a meeting with the business leaders in aviation on the need to start direct flights to Colombia,” she added.
While no one begrudges Columbia its newfound ecstasy, there are no diplomatic or strategic benefits to encourage optimism over the relationship.
Nigeria’s diplomacy has in the recent past shown remarkable decline. Once a powerful tool of our economic governance and international engagement, our diplomacy today has become a laughing stock of the global community.
One only needs to review the Nations our leaders visit and the global events we are not invited to, to confirm this ugly reality.
Nothing, however, exemplifies the decline of our diplomacy as the admission by the Government recently that our diplomatic missions all over the world are totally broke and unable to meet even the most basic of their consular needs.
There’s also the realization that the tenets of traditional diplomacy that once drove our quest for global relevance have been sidelined. The President, it appears, drives our diplomacy from the comfort of the Villa, guided more by his personal desires and interests, rather than our collective national interest.
Diplomacy, it must be noted, is a critical tool of projecting global power and political stability. A diplomatically savvy Nigeria, for instance, should have been in China, where China, Russia and India are engaged in creating a new world order.
China is a major source of manufactured goods and electronics for Nigeria, while India is a significant importer of Nigeria’s crude oil and a supplier of pharmaceuticals and raw materials.
Yet we chose to remain at home, cozying up with Columbia. What an interesting time!
Abdullahi Yelwa is a veteran journalist, one-time commissioner in Kebbi State, and media entrepreneur based in Abuja.
