ON THE SUPREMACY OF OUR SOVEREIGNTY AND THE PATH TO MUTUAL INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
The National Youth Stakeholders Forum has observed, with utmost concern, the recent discourse surrounding external military intervention in the internal security affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We issue this statement to firmly assert the inviolable sovereignty of our nation and to chart a clear path for patriotic engagement with the global community.
The soul of a nation is its sovereignty—the sacred right to determine its own destiny, secure its territory, and govern its people without external coercion. This principle is non-negotiable. While we acknowledge the complex security challenges we face, we vehemently reject any narrative that justifies foreign military intervention as a solution. The defence of Nigeria is, first and foremost, the responsibility of Nigerians. We call on the Nigerian youth, the bastion of our nation’s future, to shun any calls for foreign influence that undermines our autonomy. True patriotism lies in bolstering our national institutions and seeking home-grown solutions, not in outsourcing our security.
We are particularly concerned by the insidious efforts of foreign powers, notably the United States, to wield undue influence over Nigeria’s political and economic trajectory. The era of coercive diplomacy, where global powers issue threats and ultimatums under the guise of assistance, is stale and unacceptable. Such tactics are a relic of a bygone era and have no place in the 21st-century partnership between sovereign nations.
Therefore, we urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to:
1. Assert Diplomatic Clarity: Engage in robust diplomacy that unequivocally communicates Nigeria’s commitment to resolving its internal affairs.
2. Pivot to Collaborative Partnerships: Move beyond a donor-recipient dynamic and focus on designing sophisticated bilateral engagements that provide mutual economic, technological, and security benefits for both Nigeria and its international partners.
3. Strengthen National Unity: Redouble efforts to address the root causes of our internal strife—inequality, injustice, and poor governance—thereby removing the very vulnerabilities that external actors seek to exploit
The strength of Nigeria lies in the hands of its people and its leaders. We call on all Nigerian youth to stand in defence of our nation’s integrity, to promote unity, and to support a foreign policy anchored in dignity, mutual respect, and national interest. Our future will be built by us, for us, in collaboration with the world, not under its coercion.
Signed,
Amb. Olugbenga George
Director,National Orientation and Social Development
National Youth Stakeholders Forum
