Sani Appeals for Nigeria to be Compassionate in Diplomacy

Human rights activist and former Senator, Shehu Sani, has weighed in on the public debate surrounding Nigeria’s recent decision to offer scholarships to students from St. Lucia, urging citizens to adopt a broader and more compassionate perspective on international aid and diplomacy.
In a post shared via his verified X account (formerly Twitter), the outspoken Pan-Africanist defended the Nigerian government’s gesture, countering critics who questioned the logic of providing educational support to foreign students when many Nigerian youths are still grappling with access to quality education and funding.
“When Nigeria offers scholarships for St Lucia students to study in Nigeria, I read comments from people who think we should not give because we have our problems,” Sani wrote. “They need to be enlightened that all the countries that give aid, grants, and scholarships to Nigerians also have their problems, but they choose to give.”
The former Kaduna Central Senator emphasized that the act of helping others, especially within the African and Caribbean brotherhood, should not be limited by internal struggles.
“You don’t help others only when you don’t have problems; you help others because it’s human or brotherly to help,” he stated, drawing a poignant example from Cuba. “Cuba has been under sanctions for 60 years and still gives our students scholarships.”
Sani’s remarks come in response to widespread online backlash following the announcement of the scholarship scheme, with many Nigerians arguing that the country’s internal challenges—including high levels of poverty, unemployment, and underfunded education—should take precedence.
However, the former lawmaker argued that generosity, especially in education, is not only an act of diplomacy but a moral obligation that strengthens global solidarity, particularly with nations in the Global South.
While the debate continues, Senator Sani’s comments highlight a broader philosophical divide: whether national resources should be used strictly for internal development or also for fostering international goodwill, particularly with nations that share historical and cultural ties with Africa.