Nigeria: A Nation Without Sovereignty?
The question of whether Nigeria genuinely possesses sovereignty remains fundamental to comprehending its post-independence trajectory and present-day challenges. Although Nigeria achieved formal political independence in 1960 and thereby acquired the legal attributes associated with statehood, this investigation critically examines the degree to which the nation exercises substantive sovereignty, conceptualized here as the capacity for autonomous action and self-determination. Utilising a systematic literature review methodology anchored in dependency theory, the research analyses scholarly articles, historical documents, and policy reports to interrogate the disparity between Nigeria’s juridical sovereignty and its substantive autonomy. The findings indicate that Nigeria’s sovereignty is substantially circumscribed by its colonial origins as an artificial amalgamation, persistent internal divisions manifested through secessionist movements, and external influences perpetuated via economic dependency, security alliances, and the conditionalities imposed by international financial institutions. This layered conceptualization of sovereignty—wherein legal recognition endures while material autonomy remains constrained—positions Nigeria as a state possessing limited substantive sovereignty. The study concludes that the attainment of genuine sovereignty necessitates internal restructuring towards a more equitable federal arrangement, economic diversification to disrupt patterns of dependency, and a recalibration of foreign policy that prioritises national interests over external alignment.
