Abuja: The Abuja School of Political and Social Thought (TAS) has urged African leaders to leverage ongoing shifts in global geopolitics to strengthen democratic institutions and drive sustainable economic development across the continent.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Executive Director of TAS, Dr. Sam Amadi, made the call on Thursday in Abuja during a high-level summit organized by the think tank in collaboration with the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS. The summit was themed: ‘A 360 Conversation on 2027 and the Challenges of Consolidating Democracy and Economic Growth in Nigeria in the Face of the Emerging New World Order and Political Economy.’
Amadi, in his presentation entitled ‘Shifting Global Geopolitics and the Challenges of Democracy and Development in Nigeria in 2027 and Beyond,’ highlighted that international development assistance operates under the shadow of changing global dynamics. He noted that power realignments, the decline of traditional multilateral frameworks, and evolving trade patterns present both severe risks and strategic opportunities for developing nations.
Amadi called on regional bodies such as ECOWAS and the Nigerian government to move away from rigid economic dogmas and actively build state capacity to navigate current geopolitical realities. He emphasized the importance of understanding the dynamics of the global economy and steering domestic policies to optimize them, citing historical examples from Japan, South Korea, and China.
Amadi also observed that while Western influence faces internal challenges, non-Western nations continue to expand their strategic footprint across the continent. He warned that internal vulnerabilities within West Africa, marked by recent military coups, pose an existential threat to human security and economic growth.
In his remarks about the 2027 general elections, Amadi stressed that credible electoral outcomes are essential to restoring public trust in democratic institutions. Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, he criticized institutional lapses that eroded public confidence, specifically pointing to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.
Highlighting the strategic partnership between Nigeria and the European Union, Amadi described the EU as Nigeria’s largest trading partner and a vital promoter of democratic governance. ‘The EU remains Nigeria’s greatest trading partner, accounting for around 34.9 billion euros or roughly 27.8 percent of Nigeria’s total trade in 2023,’ he said.
The Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, also addressed the summit, emphasizing the need for collective intellect and collaborative action to tackle challenges of governance, global economic shifts, and climate issues. Mignot noted that the summit provided a platform for rigorous, evidence-based dialogue to navigate these complexities and offered an opportunity for Nigeria to consolidate its steps for economic development and democratic consolidation. He expressed the EU’s support for Nigeria’s efforts toward consolidating democracy and economic development.