NIGERIA, Dec. 1 -- Over the past several years, the agitation for the Nigeria's breakup has grown louder across various regions. The agitation is fuelled by ethnic mistrust, economic frustrations, perceptions of political marginalization and the burden of insecurity. While these grievances are real and deserving of sincere national dialogue, the rising chorus for dismemberment is both dangerous and shortsighted. It threatens not only the survival of Africa's most populous nation but also the immense opportunities that come with Nigeria's abundant and unmatched human and natural endowments.

Clearly, this is a moment of defining crossroads for Nigeria and Nigerians. But, rather than yielding to the tempting but chaotic idea of disintegrati...