Unfortunately Buhari doesn’t have an opinion on Brexit

This June, Britain will be having a referendum on whether to stay in or leave the EU. Though, it is regarded as a purely British affair, some other world leaders have joined the debate. America has even urged Britain not to leave, probably because it would benefit its foreign policy. Even though the Leave Campaigners saw President Obama as a busybody, he at least made his point. Sadly, Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and the so-called giant, has no opinion.

In Nigeria, I suspect that the thinking in our government circles is that our opinion doesn’t matter. They probably think we won’t be taken seriously. Or, probably the government thinks it is inundated with some other pressing problems, such as: terrorism, herdsmen attack, corruption and dwindling oil revenues.

This is not necessarily correct. If we want to diversify our economy and earn more money from agriculture, we should have an opinion. Even though we might not have the powers to influence opinions in Britain, we might be able to appeal to the emotions of the British people. Besides, it is in UK’s interest to have a strong relationship with Africa. China is presently recolonizing Africa, and they are doing so as a country and not as a block.

I am sure the average Briton is concerned about poverty in Africa. Research has shown that the best way to take Africa out of poverty is to trade with her and not to give her aids. If British people decide to stay in the EU, they might be impoverishing us the more. The decision to stay or leave is entirely theirs, though.

Currently, the Remain Campaigners believe it is in the interest of Britain to stay in the EU. They argue that Britain will be better off with a seamless relationship with major European businesses. On the other hand, the Leave Campaigners see the EU as a liability. They believe they would lose their sovereignty, and probably flexibility to do business with other non-EU countries.

And this is where it affects Nigeria, and Africa. The EU imposes enormous tariffs on some agricultural goods coming into its common market. Some of these goods, like roasted coffee and processed cocoa, can be easily produced in Africa and sent abroad. If the UK remains in the EU, there might be no need to invest in farming and food processing in Africa since the barriers imposed by the EU are enormous.

Take cocoa for instance. We can get chocolate from cocoa. Before the oil boom, cocoa was the mainstay of the economy of South Western Nigeria. Now, Nigeria wants to diversify from oil. The question is: Will the UK’s investment in cocoa planting and processing in Africa not benefit the British people and Africans?

Never mind the troubles we are having in Africa. Africa is the next frontier. We have arable lands. The earlier the UK develops a stronger relationship with Africa, the better for its food security. Besides, the UK is a friend of Africa. And friends are interested in their mutual prosperity.

We need UK farmers in Nigeria. Labour is cheap in Nigeria. Staying in a Union that would discourage investment abroad might hurt UK’s big brother role in Africa. To be honest, nothing should stop the UK from investing in Africa’s agricultural and mineral sector. I am not sure there is any mineral you can think of that you can’t find in Nigeria.

I am sure the UK doesn’t want China to take its place in Nigeria or in Africa, as it were.