From Ukraine to the Niger Delta: How Global Politics Shapes Daily Life in Nigeria

 

It was a Wednesday afternoon in one of my classes. I asked my students a simple question: “What does the Russia–Ukraine war have to do with the cost of bread in Wukari, or Lagos?”

The room went quiet. A few laughed nervously, others whispered, and one student finally replied, “Nothing, sir. That’s their problem, not ours.” 

But minutes later, we broke down how global politics sneaks into our kitchens, our fuel stations, and even our job markets. By the end of the lecture, the class realized international relations is not an abstract game played in foreign capitals; it is an everyday Nigerian reality.

         Why Your Bread Costs More

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the global wheat market shook. Ukraine and Russia together supply nearly 30% of the world’s wheat. Nigeria, which imports most of its wheat, suddenly had to pay more. By 2023, bread prices in Abuja and Maiduguri had doubled. This wasn’t just an economic issue; it was global geopolitics kneading itself into our breakfast table.

       Why Filling Your Tank Feels Like Emptying Your Pocket

The Niger Delta produces oil, but Nigeria still imports refined fuel. When global oil prices swing because of OPEC decisions, Middle East conflicts, or U.S.-China trade spats, Nigeria feels the heat. Ordinary commuters in Ibadan or Kaduna end up subsidizing the unseen handshake between Riyadh, Moscow, and Washington.

          Why Young Nigerians Are Job Hunting Longer

Global politics isn’t only about guns and oil. It shapes the digital economy, migration policies, and investment flows. When Western countries tighten visa rules, it alters opportunities for Nigerian students and workers abroad. When China expands into Africa, Nigerian firms feel both pressure and opportunity. And when multinational companies exit Nigeria because of global economic downturns, it’s the youth who are left struggling with underemployment.

          Why Tomatoes Are Expensive in Jos

Conflict in the Lake Chad Basin, fueled by climate change, terrorism, and cross-border insecurity, disrupts farming and trade routes. What begins as a security challenge in Borno becomes a tomato crisis in Plateau, raising market prices in Abuja and Lagos. Global politics and local insecurity merge, and families pay the price at the dinner table.

           Why You Should Care

International politics might look like distant chess moves on CNN or Al Jazeera, but in reality, it is the hidden hand that shapes our economic stability, food prices, security, and even cultural debates. For Nigeria, engaging with global politics is not optional; it is survival.

As citizens, staying informed, demanding accountable foreign policy, and equipping ourselves with globally relevant skills are ways of bridging the gap between foreign headlines and local realities.

           Final Thought

So, the next time you complain about rising bread prices, fuel scarcity, or shrinking job opportunities, pause and ask: “Which global handshake or conflict is shaping this reality?” Because, as I often tell my students, international relations is not just what happens abroad; it is what happens inside your pocket.

****** SB Adams 

References

FAO (2022). Impact of the Ukraine crisis on global food security.

OPEC (2023). World Oil Outlook.

International Crisis Group (2023). The Lake Chad Basin: Climate Change and Conflict Dynamics.

IMF (2024). Global Economic Outlook.

Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (2024). Consumer Price Index Report.



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