Marking Africa Day 2026, Nigeria Owes a Duty to the Continent, Writes Owei Lakemfa

Six days after Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa addressed the United Nations on October 7, 1960, outlining the country's historical mission to develop Africa, the birthplace of humanity and modern civilization.

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This mission was rooted in four key principles, which Tafawa-Balewa presented to the UN, including a desire to maintain friendly relations with all countries, without inheriting the enemies of its former colonial masters.

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The second principle was a commitment to non-expansionism, distinguishing Nigeria from countries like Britain, the United States, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal, which had a history of territorial conquest and domination.

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The third principle emphasized Nigeria's independence and commitment to equality, reflecting the core values of the Asian-African Conference, also known as the Bandung Conference, held in Indonesia five years earlier.

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This commitment would eventually lead Nigeria to play a significant role in the Non-Aligned Movement, established on September 1, 1961, which at its peak had 121 member countries.

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The fourth principle underscored Nigeria's dedication to working with other African states to promote continental progress and assist in achieving responsible independence for all African territories.

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Nigeria's next major international engagement was at the International Labour Organisation conference in June 1961, where Labour Minister Chief Joseph Modupe Johnson led the Nigerian delegation and advocated for the expulsion of South Africa due to its apartheid system.

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Johnson's statement emphasized Nigeria's belief in racial equality and its condemnation of discrimination, prompting an unprecedented vote in the typically consensus-driven ILO, with 163 delegates supporting the Nigerian resolution, none opposing, and 89 abstaining.

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This historic vote, 65 years ago, marked a significant blow against apartheid, and in 1990, newly freed Nelson Mandela acknowledged the ILO's role in this struggle, assuring the organization that apartheid was dead and South Africa could be readmitted.

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On May 24, 1963, Nigeria played a key role in the founding of the Organization of African Unity, now known as the African Union, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where Tafawa-Balewa emphasized the importance of mutual respect and equality among African states.

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Tafawa-Balewa warned against the dangers of economic colonization and stressed Nigeria's commitment to securing the freedom of the African continent, recognizing existing boundaries and the sovereignty of all African countries.

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In the following years, Nigeria supported liberation movements across Africa, providing funds, arms, scholarships, and passports to fighters, and later, under General Murtala Muhammed, defended African interests against external powers at the OAU Summit on January 11, 1976.

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Muhammed declared that Africa had come of age, was no longer under external control, and was capable of deciding its own interests and resolving its problems without external interference.

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Despite facing internal crises, including a civil war, Nigeria's focus on Africa and pan-Africanism has remained unwavering, as evident in its hosting of the 1977 FESTAC festival, which drew 500,000 visitors and 16,000 delegates from around the world.

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Today, May 25, 2026, as Africa Day is marked, Nigerians are reminded of their country's historical role in promoting African unity and liberation, and the need for continued integration and leadership in the continent's economic development.

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Nigeria's size and population make it a crucial player in African affairs, and its active participation is essential for the continent's progress, as no other African country can take in Nigerians in times of crisis, emphasizing the importance of African unity and cooperation.