GHOST Of LORD LUGARD™

Dear Nigerians, PAY ATTENTION! At the ongoing “Africa Forward Summit” in Nairobi, Kenya, Emmanuel Macron addressed the leaders of Africa. William Ruto of Kenya did. The young Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye addressed the Summit as well. I did not see Bola Ahmed Tinubu (who arrived in the early hours of Monday, May 11, 2026, to participate in the Summit, address the crowd). In keeping with APC’s abysmal foreign outings, Bola managed to hold meetings at the sidelines. Nigeria is no longer at the top of the pecking order in Africa. Cyril Ramaphosa’s South Africa leads the continent. Followed by Paul Kagame’s Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, then Ghana. Nigeria is left to wallow in rampant obscurity. He lost Mali, Niger, & Burkina Faso to the AES. The ECOWAS bloc became a shadow of itself on Tinubu’s watch. Each time he went abroad with other African leaders, he was always at the back. It’s as if he is shy or intimated by others. And don’t tell me about sitting arrangement. Because Obasanjo was always at the front. Statecraft & gravitas are not something you learn on the job. You either have it or you don’t! OBJ marshaled the rest of the continent like a colossus. Nigeria was the most conspicuous in the room, the most recognizable. OBJ carried the conscience of Africa wherever he went. He was right in his recent interview. “Nigeria has lost its relevance in Africa & around the world. You are no longer “at the table” of global decision-making. Nigeria can no longer influence events beyond its borders.” Your Foreign Policy took a hit in twelve years. Ruto seized the opportunity to market Kenya for sports & tourism when he teased Macron (who raced Kenya’s marathon icon, Kipchoge). It was a light-hearted moment, but one that positioned Kenya for global investments. The inaugural event is co-chaired by Ruto & Macron. Accused of neo-colonial meddling in Africa, France is looking for new frontiers & partnerships on the African continent. The Forward Summit focused on economic transformation, green industrialization, digital innovation, & sustainable development. My hope is that Nigeria will get it right in 2027. Bola Tinubu has wasted everyone’s time. Who will replicate OBJ’s Foreign Policy or better it?