Be wary of unfavourable bilateral relations, FG warned

The Federal Government has been cautioned against bilateral relations that undermine Nigeria’s interest.  The Pan-African Dialogue Institute (TPADI), Directorate of International Programmes, University of Uyo made the submission in Uyo to commemorate the 2026 African Day. International President of TPADI, Prof. Effiong Joseph Udo, called for a critical national reflection of the recent bilateral taxation […]

The Federal Government has been cautioned against bilateral relations that undermine Nigeria’s interest. 

The Pan-African Dialogue Institute (TPADI), Directorate of International Programmes, University of Uyo made the submission in Uyo to commemorate the 2026 African Day.

International President of TPADI, Prof. Effiong Joseph Udo, called for a critical national reflection of the recent bilateral taxation agreement between France and Nigeria.

Udo explained that bilateral relations between Nigeria and non-African countries should be analysed through the lenses of equity, sovereignty, reciprocity, and developmental interests.

The Professor of NT Literature, Dialogue and Peacebuilding said it was important for Nigeria to preserve its cultural identify through economic self-determination by ensuring that bilateral economic agreements protect the nation’s fiscal interests.

“We urge critical national reflection concerning the recent bilateral taxation agreement between France and Nigeria. 

“While international economic cooperation is necessary in today’s interconnected world, such agreements must always be scrutinized through the lenses of equity, sovereignty, reciprocity, and African developmental interests.

“Africa’s colonial history teaches us that unequal economic arrangements often survive long after formal colonialism ended.

“Therefore, Nigerians and Africans generally must remain vigilant against any international frameworks capable of reproducing dependency, capital extraction, tax disadvantages, or economic vulnerability under modern diplomatic language. 

“We are not opposed to global partnerships. However, Pan-Africanism demands that Africa negotiate with the world from positions of dignity, intelligence, and strategic self-interest. 

“Africa look continue to serve merely as a market, a resource base, or a tax corridor for stronger economies while millions of Africans remain trapped in poverty despite abundant wealth.

“Consequently, we call on Nigerian policymakers, economists, legal experts, civil society organizations, and the National Assembly to ensure that all bilateral economic agreements genuinely protect Nigeria’s fiscal interests, industrial growth, local enterprises, and long-term economic sovereignty. 

“The future of Africa depends not only on political unity, but also on economic self-determination,” he stated.

Encouraging the Federal Government to officially declare May 25 as Africa Day and recognize it as a National Public Holiday, Udo called for the intentional integration of Pan-African studies and African history into the educational curricula.