Professor Anthony Kila, Director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies has said Nigeria cannot build a strong foreign policy without fixing its domestic challenges. He linked the country’s global standing to conditions back home.
Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Tuesday. Kila said internal problems affect how Nigeria engages other countries.
“You can’t have a good foreign policy if your national and local policy is bad.”
He added that leadership can still use foreign policy to address domestic issues if there is clear direction.
“I believe, though, that you can use international policy, you can use foreign policy, international relations, sometimes to solve national problems.”
“But, of course, you can’t do that if you have a government that closes the border to its neighbors.”
Kila criticised past policy decisions and their impact on regional relations.
“It was barbaric. It was brutal. It was shallow. And I continue to believe so.”
He said strong leadership can align both domestic and foreign policy.
“With good leadership, you can enhance the two. You can link them together and make one work for the other.”
His comments come due to increasing concerns over the safety of Nigerians in South Africa. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has warned Nigerians to remain cautious due to violent protests in cities including East London, Cape Town, Durban and parts of KwaZulu-Natal.
The Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg said the protests have led to looting, damage to property and injuries, with more demonstrations expected in Gauteng between April 27 and 29.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
