Human Rights in Nigeria’s External Relations: Building the Record of a Moral Superpower by Philip C. Aka (review)

Philip C. Aka, who has advanced degrees in law and political science, has written a timely book on the intersections of governance, politics, leadership, and human rights in Nigeria. Each of his identified variables is a key to unlocking complex social realities, and these keys, in their totality, are necessary for understanding human rights issues, which Aka links with foreign policy. He locates this crucial connection in the realm of history, dating back to precolonial policies, and suggests how best to correct existing anomalies.

The most fascinating points in the book are around ideas to rethink and reformulate existing practices on human rights in Nigeria. Clearly and cogently, he identifies a number of critical areas. First, as a template, he suggests that charity must begin at home: Nigeria must first improve upon its human rights record. To me, such improvements must come with the creation of enduring institutions and respect for all individuals, irrespective of their religion, class, gender, age, and ethnicity; too often, individuals are victimized by the police and other security agencies and their personnel, who are supposed to protect them. On a broader level, underdevelopment is a problem, as it turns poverty into a human rights issue. With effective governance, poverty alleviation, and good leadership, domestic human rights will definitely improve. Second, policies toward other countries have to be formulated effectively. Activities abound, and moments of intervention have to be anchored to clear national interests. The book points to such efforts.

Aka centers the bulk of his concrete application on peacekeeping. He is right, although this does not exhaust the list of activities that Nigeria undertakes. Over the years, Nigeria has taken part in conflict resolution, peacekeeping in war and postwar situations, and several mediation efforts, all well reported here. The question of how to improve upon the delivery of peacekeeping machinery is the third set of policy recommendations in this book. To redesign peacekeeping efforts, Aka calls for more dynamic bilateral relations, arguably to share cost, exchange information, and distribute responsibilities.

Finally, Aka wants Nigeria to work toward converting the regional body of the Economic Community of West African States into an instrument of human rights promotion and of Nigerian foreign policy.

This book is important on several levels. It proposes that realizing positive transformation at home will ultimately improve activities abroad: real charity will begin at home and spread abroad later. Aka identifies many areas calling for reforms, as well as ethical standards to underpin a host of actions. Of course, some Nigerians may object to his emphasis on peacekeeping abroad when domestic needs, especially poverty alleviation at home, have not been met; poor citizens in Kaduna or Aba, for example, may not see the need to spend hard-earned money in the Sudan or The Gambia. Many may wonder why Aka does not see the gap between the rhetoric of stated objectives in the pursuit of external policies and the limitations in achieving them. He does so admirably, actually, in commenting on both aspects in the concluding part of the book. For writing a book full of policy recommendations, he has shown the value of scholarship and advocacy. His criticisms of the country are positive, largely meant to elevate discourse and concrete actions. This book, as a must-read, should make its way, first and foremost, to the desk of Nigeria’s minister of external affairs and other stakeholders, who have avowed interests in human rights as well as general policy issues.