Recent rhetoric from the United States, particularly under President Trump, signals a shift towards unilateralism and away from multilateral institutions such as the United Nations (UN). If sustained, this trend risks degrading the UN into irrelevance, with severe implications for developing countries, particularly in Africa. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and a leading regional power, must anticipate this shift and position itself to safeguard national interests and Africa’s collective voice.
Key Risks for Nigeria and Africa
- Reduced UN Funding: Cuts to humanitarian, health, and development programs that directly support Nigeria (e.g., Northeast humanitarian response, polio eradication).
- Weaker Peacekeeping: Potential decline in UN peace operations across Africa, raising risks of instability in West Africa and the Sahel.
- Erosion of Multilateral Norms: Increased vulnerability to great-power bilateral pressures in trade, climate negotiations, and debt management.
- Climate and Development Setbacks: Weakening of SDG and Paris Climate frameworks, undermining African development priorities.
- Geopolitical Realignment: Risk of Nigeria being sidelined in shifting alliances if it fails to assert leadership.
Strategic Recommendations
- Strengthen Regional Institutions
• Lead reforms within ECOWAS and AU to create quicker, self-financed mechanisms for peacekeeping and crisis response.
• Support establishment of an African Peace Fund independent of Western donors. - Diversify Global Partnerships
• Deepen strategic ties with China, EU, and middle powers (India, Brazil, Turkey, South Korea).
• Negotiate balanced engagement with China to prevent debt-trap scenarios.
• Explore trilateral cooperation (e.g., Nigeria–EU–AU projects) to safeguard development funding. - Assert African Voice in Global Governance
• Push aggressively for UN Security Council reform, advocating for permanent African representation.
• Position Nigeria as Africa’s principal candidate for such representation. - Enhance National and Regional Self-Reliance
• Strengthen domestic institutions for health, education, and humanitarian response to reduce dependence on UN agencies.
• Invest in Nigeria’s armed forces for independent and ECOWAS-backed peace operations. - Champion Climate and Development Diplomacy
• Lead a Pan-African climate coalition to negotiate directly with major emitters for adaptation and energy transition finance.
• Leverage Nigeria’s oil and gas position to secure fair deals in the global energy transition. - Expand Soft Power and Advocacy Role
• Position Nigeria as a Global South voice on debt relief, migration, fair trade, and equitable technology transfer.
• Enhance Nigeria’s cultural and diplomatic outreach to boost international influence.
Conclusion
A weakened UN poses significant risks but also creates space for new leaders. Nigeria must not be passive. By strengthening African institutions, diversifying partnerships, and asserting global leadership, Nigeria can transform this challenge into an opportunity to cement its role as the central voice of Africa in global affairs.
Otunba Segun Showunmi
The Alternative.
