By: Momoh-Onimisi
Nigeria from its inception has defined its stance globally as an Afro centric proponent an idea justified by its anti colonial struggle and military mission in war torn region on the African stage. And in response to the post World War era which saw the need for institution to govern the wage of war, prevent genocide and contain proliferation through the establishment of the United Nations, the West African region through General Eyadema of Togo and General Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria spearheaded the ECOWAS course in establishing a regional economic forum for West-Africa nation which arguably is the continents leading regional group.
In many ways, these efforts have succeeded. Yes promoting free flow of goods and the ideals of democracy in view of Liberia, Ivory Coast and recently Gambia but this volatile but progressive architecture now buckle under the weight of new threat especially in the wake of Morocco’s continuous effort to join the sub regional body which in clear terms defies geographical parameter especially of its establishment treaty which explains that “the geographical zone known as West Africa is defined by Resolution CM/Res.464 (XXVI) of the OAU Council of Ministers.
Lest you need reminding, Morocco recently rejoined the African Union after its 33years of exile due to its non compliance on the unions stand on Western Sahara’s right to self determination which arguably was championed by Nigeria. I have no problem with bilateral agreement within African nations, but a blind eyed approach by the Nigerian government in not swaying such motion portrays a leadership adrift of the socio-economic imperative of such detrimental move.
On the flip side, Nigeria economic contribution to the body has seen its churn out more than 60% of the financial burden of the convention a stance it has maintained for over 40 years of its existence; allowing Morocco disrupt the union damages Nigeria leadership role and disrupts the mechanism governing the body and possibly its name which is recognized by the United nation and the African union.
At the moment, Nigerian economy is at its lowest ebb as the oil age gradually winds down, but its enjoyment of cross border trading within the West African coast makes it a viable market for locally produced goods in an attempt at rejuvenating the economic fortunes of the region. Do we then embrace Morocco that has defined itself as the manufacturing hub of the European Union to disrupt the market by allowing tariff free flow of European goods to the West African market a course which will freeze out local industries and damage our balance of trade?.



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