Africa Day 2026: Nigeria’s Responsibilities to Africa – by Owei Lakemfa

Six days after Nigeria’s independence on 1 October 1960, Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa‑Balewa addressed the United Nations in New York. He stated that Nigeria’s historic mission was to develop Africa, the continent that gave birth to humanity and modern civilization. The speech took place on 7 October 1960 in the UN’s hallowed chambers.

Tafawa‑Balewa outlined four cardinal principles for the newly independent nation. First, Nigeria sought friendly relations with all countries, rejecting any inherited enmities from its former colonial masters. Second, it declared no expansionist intentions, distinguishing itself from countries such as Britain, the United States, Spain, Belgium and Portugal that had historically trampled on other nations. Third, Nigeria pledged not to align with any power bloc, affirming its commitment to independence, respect and equality for all peoples—a reflection of the core principles of the 1955 Bandung Conference. Fourth, Nigeria committed to working with other African states to bring all African territories to responsible independence.

These principles guided Nigeria’s early international engagements, including its participation in the Non‑Aligned Movement (NAM) when it was founded on 1 September 1961, then home to 121 developing countries. Nigeria’s next major appearance was at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference in June 1961, where a tripartite delegation of government, workers and employers, led by Labour Minister Chief Joseph Modupe Johnson, JMJ, presented Nigeria’s stance on racial equality. Johnson declared that Nigerians “have goodwill, love and affection towards other people irrespective of the colour of their skins, (and) believe in the equality of all races, abhor racial discrimination in all its forms and with all its trappings, wherever and by whomever it is practiced.” He argued that the apartheid system in South Africa contradicted these beliefs and called for the country’s expulsion from the ILO—a move unprecedented in the organization’s 42‑year history of consensus.

In the vote that followed, 163 delegates supported Nigeria’s resolution, none opposed it, while 89 abstentions came mainly from France, Belgium, Britain, Australia, Italy, the United States, Spain and South Africa itself. Seventy‑five years later, on 8 June 1990, Nelson Mandela stood in the ILO chambers to thank the organization for that historic resolution and to affirm that apartheid was dead, paving the way for South Africa’s readmission.

Another milestone came on 24 May 1963 when the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union, was founded in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Tafawa‑Balewa presented Nigeria’s position on African unity, emphasizing mutual respect and the acceptance of equality among all states, regardless of size, population or wealth. He stated, “Nigeria recognizes all the existing boundaries in Africa, and recognizes the existence of all the countries in Africa.” He warned that African nations must not be blinded by political independence, noting that colonialism can take many forms, including economic domination.

During the turbulent years that followed, Nigeria supported liberation movements across the continent, providing funds, arms, scholarships and passports to fighters. In 1976, at the OAU Summit, General Murtala Muhammed declared that Africa had “come of age” and was no longer under the orbit of any extra‑continental power. He urged African leaders to act independently, to protect their interests and to resolve African problems without external interference.

Despite facing its own crises, including a brutal three‑year civil war, Nigeria’s commitment to Pan‑Africanism remained steadfast. In 1977, the country hosted FESTAC, the largest festival of African arts and culture in history, drawing about 500,000 visitors and 16,000 delegates worldwide. Over the years, Nigeria has contributed to peace not only in Africa but across the globe by sending peacekeepers.

Today, on 25 May 2026, as Africa Day—formerly known as Africa Freedom Day or African Liberation Day—is celebrated, Nigerians are reminded of their past. One quarter of the world’s Black population lives in Africa; Nigerians have shed blood to bring peace to countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leone and have made tremendous sacrifices for the continent’s liberation. The development of Africa requires integration, which can only be achieved through active participation. While Nigeria is large enough to host citizens from virtually any African country, no African country can host Nigerians. Africa must unite, and Nigeria has a responsibility to lead, especially in the continent’s economic development.

Africa must unite!

The post Africa Day 2026: Nigeria has obligations to Africans, by Owei Lakemfa appeared first on Vanguard News.