Futility of United States of Nigeria: The Need to Go Beyond United States of America and United States of Africa

Nigeria is reportedly facing speculation about a potential name change to 'United States of Nigeria' by the end of 2026, a move that has drawn scrutiny and debate.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has allegedly denied any plans to submit a draft bill to the National Assembly for this purpose. However, the publication Vie Internationale suggests that even if a name change occurs, it would represent a "change-in-continuity," meaning superficial alterations without addressing the nation's persistent problems.

The article examines various international examples of country name changes, such as Turkey becoming Türkiye, Macedonia becoming North Macedonia, and Cape Verde becoming Cabo Verde. These changes were often driven by desires for better geopolitical identity, dissociation from negative connotations, or alignment with linguistic preferences. For instance, Côte d'Ivoire's name change aimed to emphasize its French-speaking identity and improve its visibility at the United Nations.

However, the piece questions the specific rationale behind Nigeria's potential name change, reportedly linked to aspirations for "sustainable true federalism." It argues that while the concept of a 'United States of Nigeria' might seem appealing, the exercise could ultimately prove futile. The article delves into the international legal definition of a 'State,' emphasizing the essential components of population, territory, and government, alongside international recognition, as prerequisites for statehood and diplomatic relations.