Professor David Aworawo, a Professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), has called for urgent economic, industrial and security reforms, warning that Nigeria cannot reclaim a strong voice on the global stage without first resolving deep-seated domestic challenges.
Speaking on the ARISE News Morning Show, Aworawo examined Nigeria’s fluctuating power trajectory since the 1980s, noting that while the country experienced a rebound in the early 2000s, it has since struggled to sustain growth and influence.
According to him, economic decline remains a major obstacle. He pointed out that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which stood at approximately $500 billion in 2015, has dropped significantly in recent years, reflecting broader structural weaknesses in the economy. “We haven’t gone up; we have gone down,” he said, stressing that internal contradictions within the system must be urgently addressed.
Aworawo highlighted weak industrial development as a critical concern, describing much of the sector as moribund. However, he acknowledged the recent launch of a new industrial policy aimed at reviving abandoned factories and promoting cluster-based manufacturing as a positive step. He expressed cautious optimism that such reforms could stimulate production and strengthen the country’s economic base if effectively implemented.
On agriculture, the professor noted that while modest progress has been recorded, much more needs to be done to unlock the sector’s full potential and enhance food security.
Security, he argued, remains one of the most pressing challenges. Describing the current level of insecurity as “frightening,” Aworawo warned that trillions of naira may be required in the coming years to restore stability. He maintained that a country grappling with internal instability cannot effectively project power externally or play a leading role in continental affairs.
Drawing from his experience on a 2011 foreign policy review committee in Abuja, where he served as rapporteur, Aworawo lamented what he described as Nigeria’s diminishing assertiveness in Africa and globally. He recalled concerns raised at the time by Professor Ibrahim Gambari that Nigeria had grown silent on major African issues. According to Aworawo, the absence of clear vision and political will has weakened the country’s influence.
“Nigeria needs to be more assertive,” he said, urging the country to take stronger positions on matters affecting Africa and to reclaim its traditional leadership role on the continent.
He added that only through coordinated economic revitalisation, enhanced security, and strategic foreign policy can Nigeria position itself for greater global relevance — including a potential permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council if future reforms create such an opportunity.
The discussion also touched on the quality of political leadership and domestic policy coherence, with concerns raised about whether current governance standards can deliver the reforms required. Aworawo emphasised that sound domestic policies, including credible budgeting and economic planning, are fundamental prerequisites for international influence.
His remarks have reignited debate about Nigeria’s global standing, leadership direction, and the urgent reforms required to restore the country’s stature as a dominant voice in Africa and beyond.
Comments
Post a Comment