Nigeria, Aug. 24 -- Nigeria's foreign policy has always been most credible when it is principled, pragmatic, and independent. In a world newly polarised by great-power rivalry and by the war between Israel and Hamas-and amid a documented surge in antisemitic incidents from Washington to Paris to Sydney-Nigeria's best course is neither retreat nor alignment. It is strategic neutrality: a clear, non-aligned posture that keeps diplomatic doors open, protects Nigerians at home and abroad, and maximises economic opportunity while upholding humanitarian law and rejecting bigotry in all forms.

From independence, Abuja anchored external relations on non-alignment and African priority. That stance let Nigeria build credibility across divides-West...