Thread by @DefenseNigeria

It can be frustrating seeing regional sister nations pick on Nigeria out of pure malice. Nigeria’s 35 year strategic national interests in Pan-Africanism has come at great expense and little reward for Nigeria.

Nigeria would have benefited immensely from independent strategic cooperation dictated solely by its national interests. We sacrificed all that because we were commited to subsidizing the economies of 16 ECOWAS member states whose combined population

..is less than that of Nigeria. So while other emerging power houses like Brazil, South Africa, Vietnam etc are forging deals with countries with over a billion people and thrillions of dollars in GDP, Nigeria has limited itself to economic ties with countries

..like Togo with a population of 8 million.GDP of $7 billion. Or Benin, population 12 millon. GDP $15 billion. Sierra Leone population 7 million GDP $3 billion. The only country with a significant profile is West Africa's second largest economy Ghana. GDP $72 billion.

Even at that it pales in comparison to Nigeria with a $1 trillion GDP (PPP)/ $583 billion. They have access to Africas biggest economy and consumer market. We have access to tiny markets who by the way are all reliant on Nigeria in one form or another.

However, thanks to recent events, xenophonic attacks, economic stagnation and the resultant paucity of funds, there has been a growing change in Nigeria’s definition of what its strategic interests are.

The growing change in Nigeria’s perception of what its strategic interests are has defined Nigeria as a continental hegemon with a distinct identity, that is reclaiming strategic autonomy to pursue its own strategic national interests, while remaining a security

partner in its West Africa sphere with which it is bound by ECOWAS.

In July 2019 Vice President Yemi Osibanjo stated categorically that

QUOTE

In a few years Nigeria will become by far the greatest military force in Africa. We are Africa’s largest economy by GDP.

States of Nigeria have larger economies than many African States. We have become the last frontier for major economic growth. We are building our own drones. We are manufacturing armourd personnel carriers and all sorts of military platforms.

In a few short years, this country will be, by far, the greatest military force in Africa and certainly the most developed economy in Africa.

END QUOTE

PMB has quietly pursued a policy of less Pan-Africanism and more Nigerianism. This growing redirection of Nigerian efforts

away from relying on consensus with smaller African states, to taking unilateral actions in service of its own national interest..e.g like the border closures. Remember Nigeria initially rejected the African Continental Free Trade Agreement until it could assess that it will

not be against its our economic interests. Nigeria has over the past couple of years balance its relationship with the West by pursuing independent policies, while building new relationships with the East. While Nigeria is aquiring weapons from China and Russia and Pakistan

..it is carrying out joint naval exercises with the United States, Britainnia, France ..It cannot be overstated how much it is in the best interest of Nigeria that the relationship between Nigeria and countries like China, Turkey, Russia and Pakistan be upgraded

from the current level of friendly but noncommittal relations, to full fledged strategic cooperation if Nigeria is to live up its potential as a great power. True giant of Africa, a nation Africans look up to in championing the interest of the continent unto the global arena.

No other nation in Africa is qualified to carry that mantle. The necessary pre-requisite to become a global power is ;

Demographic power.
Soft power.
Economic power.
Military power.

Nigeria checks all. All the elements of Power are in place. The world's 6th largest population

Africa's biggest economy. An unrivalled soft power, 3rd ranked military power in Africa and a burgeoning military industrial complex. The only nation in Sub Sahara Africa besides SA, that now manufactures world class defence products for exports. No nation in Africa has the

pre-requisites required to become a major power on a global scale. The closest competitors - AFRICA'S BIG 3 fall short in one area or another.

EGYPT is Africa's military superpower. No nation in Africa and the Middle east come close to matching Egypt's military might.

Egypt has Africa's 3rd biggest economy. But its economy is deeply centralized and controlled by the military. Egypt also does not have the pre-requisite cultural influence on a continental scale.

If we were to draw a parallel EGYPT will be RUSSIA.

SOUTH AFRICA is the preponderant military power in Southern Africa, SADC and is ranked 4th in Africa. It is Africa's 2nd largest economy and most innovative economy. The sole African nation that does not solicit or receive western aid in any capacity.

SOUTH AFRICA is also the continents technological superpower. It boasts Africa's most advanced military industrial complex that churns out advanced weapons system. However South Africa falls short in demography.

If we were to draw a parallel SOUTH AFRICA will be the EU.

NIGERIA is the preponderant military power in West Africa - ECOWAS. Ranked 3rd in Africa. It has by far Africa's biggest economy and the continents largest oil reserve. It's greatest influence stems from its soft power. Nigeria is in the league of few countries that

actively and profitably export its culture. It has the 2nd largest movie industry in the world - Nollywood. Nigeria's music scene is more pervasive, not just in Africa but the world over, and for the first time ever Africa's cultural output is becoming mainstream in the U.S.

What sets Nigeria apart is in demography. With a population of over 200 million people Nigeria is the only demographic power in Africa. Bigger than the combined population of the UK and France.

If we were to draw a parallel NIGERIA will be the USA.