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| Silnetnews |
Nigeria, according to the 1999 Constitution, is a secular state. We’re constitutionally prohibited from aligning with any one religion – a provision meant to foster unity among our diverse population of over 200 million people who practice various religions, with Christianity, Islam, and traditional religions being the most prominent. So when Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to participate in the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit, one might rightly ask: why? Why would the leader of a secular state attend a summit with a religious undertone, especially one that primarily serves the interests of Arab and Islamic nations?
A Dubious Diplomacy Move?
The Joint Arab-Islamic Summit is an occasion for member countries to rally around shared concerns, mostly framed within a pan-Islamic worldview, often addressing issues such as the political stability of the Middle East, the welfare of Arab countries, and the welfare of Muslim populations globally. Nigeria’s president’s participation raises immediate questions, not only about his motives but about whether Nigeria’s diplomatic stance is gradually shifting in a way that contradicts our secular commitments.
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Historically, Nigeria has opted for non-aligned policies, aiming to foster relationships with countries and organizations regardless of religious affiliations. By attending a summit organized explicitly for Arab and Islamic nations, the president risks signaling a departure from this stance. Does this signal a new direction in Nigeria's foreign policy? Is Nigeria looking eastward and aligning itself with a specific religious bloc, despite our constitutional commitment to secularism?
Ambiguity Around "Strategic Interest"
Defenders of the president's decision may argue that Nigeria is merely pursuing its national interests. Nigeria’s significant Muslim population may well benefit from closer relations with Islamic states, especially in terms of economic opportunities and political cooperation. But the language of "strategic interest" feels like a convenient smokescreen. Nigeria could strengthen its economic ties with the Middle East without embracing religiously focused organizations.
Moreover, if the Middle East’s current turmoil is the focus, one has to wonder what Nigeria can realistically contribute to a summit heavily focused on Middle Eastern crises, many of which are rooted in religious and regional dynamics foreign to Nigeria’s immediate concerns. It seems suspiciously like an attempt to bolster our Islamic ties for the sake of political optics rather than any concrete diplomatic need.
Sending the Wrong Signal to a Diverse Population
Nigeria’s demographics are diverse, with significant Christian and Muslim populations. A secular state’s leader attending a religiously framed summit is problematic not just in optics but also in potential social impact. Nigeria’s internal religious tensions are well-documented, and our political leaders typically strive to maintain balance to avoid fueling sectarian divides. By participating in the summit, the president risks alienating non-Muslim Nigerians and giving the impression that the federal government is increasingly favorable to one religion over others.
It’s also worth noting that in recent years, Nigeria’s membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has been controversial, raising similar questions about our commitment to secularism. We’ve seen a slow drift toward policies that, however subtly, reflect a tilt toward Islamic countries. If this trend continues, it could escalate the perception that Nigeria is gradually shedding its secular principles, leading to heightened tensions among religious groups within the country.
What’s the End Game?
One can’t help but wonder what Nigeria is hoping to gain by attending this summit. Is it aid? Economic partnership? Political alliances? Each of these is possible through secular avenues that would uphold Nigeria’s non-religious diplomatic identity. It seems instead that Nigeria is courting a type of international recognition that could become problematic. If the goal is to gain favor with Arab or Muslim-majority states, at what cost does that recognition come?
Furthermore, as a country deeply involved in African and global issues, Nigeria's credibility relies on its stance as an impartial and neutral nation that stands for common interests. Our involvement in a religiously oriented summit undermines this neutrality and could compromise our standing within the African Union and other secular international bodies.
The Thin Line of Secular Credibility
In sum, Nigeria’s attendance at the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit is a questionable diplomatic decision that threatens the country's secular identity. The optics of a Nigerian president in a religiously exclusive event speaks volumes about the subtle shift toward religious alignment that contradicts Nigeria’s constitutional commitments. This decision undermines our nation's secular standing, raising questions about the administration’s future intentions and signaling a need for transparency around our true diplomatic goals.
Nigeria is a secular state on paper, but actions like these make one wonder – are we slowly inching away from that identity?
Executive Director,
Kadosh Initiative for Justice and Environmental Development & Political Advisor to UN and ECOWAS Peace Support Operations in Africa_ Jattoh
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