The ongoing diplomatic friction between Nigeria and Australia has reignited the debate over whether retaliation or diplomacy should be the guiding principle in international relations. The tension arose after the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) issued a travel advisory, warning its citizens against visiting Nigeria due to Security concerns such as terrorism, kidnapping, and civil unrest. In response, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued a counter-advisory, cautioning its people against travelling to Australia due to reported hate crimes, including a rise in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents.
This pattern of diplomacy is not unprecedented for the country. In 2022, the government, under the former Minister of Information and Culture, issued a travel advisory against the United States and several European countries, citing attacks on Nigerians and theft of their belongings. Despite such advisories, Nigerians continue to migrate to these countries, driven by economic hardships and the pursuit of better opportunities abroad. Diaspora remittances from Nigerians abroad are crucial to the country’s economy. Central Bank of Nigeria Governor recently disclosed that remittances had risen to $600 million monthly, with a target of $1 billion in sight.
Nigeria’s advisory overlooks key security issues and global cooperation.
Furthermore, the retaliatory stance taken by Nigeria against Australia’s travel advisory appears counterproductive, as it fails to address the core issues of security and international cooperation. As political science theories teach, retaliation in diplomacy should be approached with caution and tact, as missteps can strain Bilateral Relations without yielding positive results. Nigeria’s expulsion of South African businessmen in 2012 following the deportation of 125 Nigerians for lacking Yellow Fever certificates serves as a prime example. While it led to diplomatic dialogue, xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa persist.
Hate crimes, the primary basis for the country’s advisory, are a global phenomenon. Crimes driven by prejudice and discrimination occur across continents, including Africa. Nigeria itself faces several hate-driven conflicts, from Boko Haram’s attacks against Western Education in the North-East to secessionist violence in the South-East and farmer-herder conflicts. Globally, hate crimes are prevalent in countries such as the United States, where racially motivated mass shootings have drawn international attention, and in France, where racial tensions persist amid the Middle East conflict.
NBS reported ₦2.2 trillion paid in ransoms from May 2023 to April 2024.
However, this universal nature of hate crimes reveals the complexity of using them as justification for travel advisories. While such crimes must be condemned, they should not serve as grounds for diplomatic standoffs, especially when the same issues exist within the retaliating country. Rather than issuing counter-advisories, they should focus on improving the security system, as noted by the region’s original advisory. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently reported ₦2.2 trillion in Ransom payments, 51.8 million reported crimes, and over 4 million home robberies in the country between May 2023 and April 2024, indicating the country’s vulnerability to security.
Instead of confrontation, the country should engage in diplomatic dialogue with Australia to clarify the context of the advisory and seek collaborative solutions. Diplomacy, not retaliation, will better serve the nation’s interests, especially given the mutual benefits of their bilateral relations. Australia remains one of the world’s largest economies, and the growing Nigerian diaspora there contributes to both nations’ prosperity. The increasing integration of global information Technology means no nation’s challenges remain hidden. Security lapses in the country and recent stampedes were broadcast worldwide within moments. Attempting to suppress or deny these realities through retaliatory measures only diminishes the country’s credibility on the global stage.
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Policy decisions on international relations require thoughtful deliberation informed by expert opinions. Knee-jerk retaliatory responses often increase tensions rather than resolve them. Both nation’s leaders must embrace a more nuanced approach, emphasising diplomacy, cooperation, and self-reflection to address the root causes of travel advisories rather than reacting defensively. By prioritising diplomatic engagement over retaliatory measures, the nation can build stronger partnerships, attract foreign investment, and secure the well-being of its citizens at home and abroad. This retaliation may satisfy national pride, but diplomacy remains the wiser path for lasting progress.