Brexit: Lessons for Nigeria

Years and decades after colonialism, many countries within Africa are still in the process of moving on to true self-determination and sovereignty in their respective journey to nationhood. Nigeria stands significant within the continent by virtue of her size and diversity of cultures. This standing ordinarily ought to be a positive for the country, especially the ordinary citizen on the street. Sadly, this is not the case as the country is still being bedevilled by a myriad of social, economic and political challenges of epic proportions. Different reasons have been brought forward as the reason for this; most notable is that of leadership.

On the other hand, Britain, Nigeria’s colonial master has also been going through some sort of renaissance in identity and redefinition of their own nationhood in recent years. Specifically, this came to a head in 2016 when a referendum was called for under David Cameron’s leadership to determine whether the United Kingdom (UK) as a nation should stick with the European Union (EU) or leave took place and the result favoured an exit with scant margins. The term ‘Brexit’ became etched in the world’s international relations lexicon, between the UK and its partners and the rest of Europe. The stature of Britain historically and in contemporary era in the world makes it one nation that cannot be ignored in the discourse of world affairs, as such the advent of Brexit brought about rethinking and readjustments among the immediate European bloc and some of its allies.

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One thing that is highlighted here especially in the context of Nigerian scenario is the fact that those who have had to quit their positions amidst ongoing Brexit talks have done so not because of public pressure or some mindless political gimmick, federal character bureaucracy, the presence of a godfather somewhere or such other shenanigans which characterize the Nigerian leadership landscape. They have had to leave prime cabinet positions due to matters that bother on conscience; trust reposed in them by their respective constituencies and overall public interest.

This is a point worth driving home when it comes to the dynamics of leadership as well as governance, going by the manner in which our leaders back home go about their affairs at different levels of government.

BABATOMI ADIYAN, University of Ibadan, Ibadan.