Much conceptions of globalisation revolves around the following (A) increase in cross border relation, (B) increase of open border relations (C) increase in trans border relations. Basing from this Item A furnish us with the fact that there is a movement of people, good and services among others from one part of the globe to the other, so this view has defect in explaining the contemporary globalisation because such activities have taken shape since time immemorial. While item B on the other hand depicts Globalisation as de bordering a situation in which state borders are open for free flow of goods and services, this view may hold a grasp of truth especially in the present eve of liberalization. But to catch the argument proper there is the dire need to reason beyond this and view the globalisation phenomena as transcending by passing of the state territory i.e. de territorialisation portrayed in item C.

Therefore supra nationalism has much to convey in knowing the global about globalisation, especially as it relates to the nation states which is the major instrument of global Analysis. Based on this, this article is prompted to analyze the role of the Nigerian state in the present era of globalisation, by posing the following questions: what is the position of Nigeria in the global social formation? What role does Nigeria play in the global capitalism? To what extent the supra nationalism affects the Nigeria’s sovereignty.

NIGERIA A GLANCE AT HISTORY

Nigeria as a child of British imperialism was incorporated in to the world economy during the colonial era as producer of raw materials which has enabled the economy of the British colonial government to thrive and accelerated following the industrial revolution, the thirst for the raw materials has prompted the Imperial Government to enhance the production of cash crops as against food crops, this has pauperized the Nigerian farmers amidst the harsh Tax measures imposed upon them, this has corroborate with Rodney’s assertion that “majority of African farmers enter in to colonialism with a hoe and come out from it with a hoe”. Following the discovery of oil in early part of the seventies the Agriculture was abandoned. So Nigeria in Agricultural phase of the economy served as producer of raw materials so also in the oil phase but there is little to write home about in making Nigeria to industrializes especially with its endowed natural resources. In a nut shell Nigeria was inserted in the global economy at the disadvantaged position. This informs the role which Nigeria has been playing in the global capitalism.

SOVEREIGNTY IN THE MILLENNIUM

It is obvious one of the distinguishing features of the modern state is its sovereignty, as we enter the millennium the modus operandi of the state sovereignty has become highly challenged or totally undermined, supra nationalism as the feature of globalisation has weaken the state in its pursuit of policies independently, because decisions activities in one part of the globe have come to have significant implication in the distant part of the globe. Two key elements are instructive here i.e. regionalism and sub nationalism, Nation states have virtually become members of various international organizations in their respective regional blocks so the sovereignty of the state has become more contested than ever before. The proliferation of NGO’s and the UNO, amidst the suzerainty of the United States has equally evokes fear in the mind of the Nation state. These international communities of fate have become the global architects. The ongoing resurgence of democratization as well as the war on terror is equally instructive to this effect. Nation state are forced to democratize as condition of development, What a balderdash attempt that is why Houngnikpo argued “the thaw of the cold war ended the chess game between the super powers and seemingly gave new momentum to the revival and spread of liberal democracy and its corollary, capitalism just as missionaries once offered Christianity to save colonized peoples, democracy has become the new gospel promising salvation”. This development has severe implication on Nigeria as a nation state, with the ongoing traits of globalisation it has become much difficult for the Nigerian state to embark on policies for the wellbeing of its citizenry. Since the inception of democratic governance in 1999 many neo liberal policies have taken shape in the fabric of our national economy, expatriates are becoming visible in the critical sectors of the economy, e.g. in the CBN, etc. however the lunching of the National economic empowerment and development strategy NEEDS is equally responsive to the restructuring of the economy in the global context, at the macro economic level the policy is tailored towards private sector driven economy, that is why the president argued that if there is any thing like home grown initiative , needs is the one, but I doubt this very much if it is home grown, even if it is the one, it undeniably an out come of the world bank. Inclusive to this policy is the issue of e-governance, fighting corruption and the Universal Basic Education all of which are not being pursued sincerely with out double standard.

THE PRESENT INTERNAL CONTRADICTION IN NIGERIA

Having peep at the global contradictions in which Nigeria is premised in the global economy amidst it crippling status, I can not call it failed state because the forces of colonialism and post colonial hegemony did not allow it to develop let alone to fail, rather it has crippled or paralyzed. This bring us to the second contradiction which is internal .The present attitudes of our politicians and their uncompromisable attitudes towards transition program coupled with the identity politics played without politics of program or manifesto has informed this contradiction rather ethnicity and sectionalism is deployed to champion a political cause. The present echoing of the third term to perpetuate the incumbency is inclusive in the present contradiction that plagued the present thrive to nation building in the country, the attention of all stake holders in the country ranging from politicians, business class youth organizations women groups has being diverted from understanding the grievous mal administration that is happening in the country, it is difficult to read a journalistic writing that does not invoke 3rd term agenda. The amplification of less important issues to crucial ones also known as gate keeping strategy in the journalism studies with the sole aim of diverting people’s attention from issues at stake ranging from object poverty, unemployment, armed robbery, white colour crime etc is instructive. The ongoing constitutional review exercise presided over by Senator Nasiru Mantu is equally questionable, Confab reports were dumped in spite the huge amount spent because it doesn’t satisfy the creed of the regime, surely Nigerian leaders are going politically astray in serving their people. The national Question in Nigeria is always compounded by the elites rather than solved this unbecoming development would continue to instill fear in the mind of Nigerians on how faithful are the leaders in solving Nigeria’s problems. 

 CONCLUSION