Sola Popoola
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, former Minister of Mines & Steel Development and former Governor of Ekiti State, has called for Nigeria to adopt a policy of “multialignment” as the world shifts into a more multipolar order.
In a new paper titled _“From Nonalignment to Multialignment in the Emerging Global Order: Options for Nigeria as a Middle Power”_, published by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, Dr. Fayemi argues that Nigeria must strategically engage multiple centers of global power to protect its interests and amplify its influence.
The paper is part of the Belfer Center’s wider _Middle Powers Project_, which examines the foreign policy options of 13 countries navigating the changing international system.
Dr. Fayemi noted that Nigeria possesses the demographic strength, economic potential, diplomatic reach, and cultural influence needed to play a consequential role regionally and globally.
He highlighted Nigeria’s history of leadership in ECOWAS, the African Union, peacekeeping missions, and multilateral diplomacy as a foundation to build upon.
“However, influence abroad ultimately rests on strength at home,” he wrote. “Our ability to translate these considerable assets into sustained global influence will depend on how successfully we address our security, economic and institutional challenges.”
Moving beyond the Cold War-era doctrine of nonalignment, Dr. Fayemi said Nigeria must now practice strategic autonomy.
“This means engaging constructively with different centres of global power, strengthening our partnerships with other middle powers and ensuring that Africa retains a meaningful voice in shaping the emerging international order,” he stated.
He emphasized that in an increasingly competitive world, Nigeria cannot afford to be passive. Instead, it must choose partnerships deliberately while putting national interest first.
“I hope the paper contributes to the continuing conversation about Nigeria’s place in the world and the kind of strategic statecraft required to realise its considerable potential,” Dr. Fayemi said.
The Belfer Center’s Middle Powers Project seeks to understand how countries like Nigeria, Brazil, India, and others can navigate U.S.-China rivalry, regional conflicts, and new economic blocs to advance stability and development.
Nigeria is simultaneously engaging the United States, China, the European Union, India, Brazil, Turkey, the Gulf states and multilateral institutions such as the UN, G20 and BRICS.
Dr. Fayemi argues that Nigeria must pursue its national interest while using its historical goodwill, diplomatic strength and middle-power status to advance African interests and contribute to a more stable international system.
The paper ultimately argues that Nigeria should not allow the rivalry between the United States and China to dictate its strategic choices. Instead, Nigeria should seek to leverage the interests of both powers in ways that promote complementary development and serve Nigeria and Africa.
Concluding the paper, the former governor expressed hope that his work would contribute to the national conversation on foreign policy.