Nigerian Influencers: On the Cosmopolitan Aspirations

While a large part of the country’s political conversation remains focused on ethnic allegiance and the dynamics of regional power, an increasing number of influential voices defend what can be described as cosmopolitan aspirations. This orientation emphasizes global citizenship, universal values ​​and engagement with international leadership, culture and development standards.

Cosmopolitanism in this context does not consist in abandoning cultural heritage or promoting foreign models compared to local realities. Instead, it is a conscious effort to imagine Nigeria as part of a broader human community. These influencers do not reject their roots; They project their values ​​and experiences on a world scene, seeking to raise conversations on governance, inclusion and justice.

One of the most important examples of this world vision is the former presidential candidate Peter Obi. His tributes to fire the Pope Francis were not simply religious expressions. Rather, they reflected a broader philosophy rooted in humility, the service to vulnerable and moral responsibility in public life. Obi congratulated Pope Francis as a figure who lived for others, defended the dignity of the poor and led gracefully. In doing so, Obi has connected the leadership crisis in Nigeria with the global need for ethical governance.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-sol offers another version of cosmopolitanism, supervised by urban development. During his presentation at the Harvard Business School, he spoke of Lagos as a city about to become an economic and innovation center. He highlighted infrastructure, climate action and public-private partnerships as key growth engines. His message did not just concern Lagos; It was a question of how African cities can increase to meet global expectations by planning, resilience and vision.

These examples show that Nigerian influencers do not wait for the world to notice them. They are actively inserting into global dialogues and shaping accounts around leadership, justice and progress. Their aspiration is not only to be part of the global system, but to redefine it from the inside.

At the same time, this cosmopolitan posture often leads to criticism. The skeptics accuse cosmopolitan thinkers of being disconnected from local realities or of aligning themselves too closely with Western interests. We fear that such a globalness is eroded traditional values ​​or invites foreign control. In a society where national pride and cultural loyalty are strong, cosmopolitanism is sometimes considered as elitist or antipatriotic.

However, these criticisms ignore an essential point. Cosmopolitanism is not a rejection of the local. It is a commitment to see the premises through a wider objective. When Peter Obi donates to a Catholic orphanage in Anambra or supports a rural hospital in Ogbaru, he does not turn away from his roots. He invests in his community with the same values ​​that guide his global vision. When Sanwo-soli presents Lagos as a model of African development, he places local ambition in a global context. When Ayo Sogunro defends human dignity, he speaks on behalf of the Nigerians who are too often excluded from national conversations.

The cosmopolitan aspiration, in this sense, consists in creating a bridge between Nigeria and the world. He invites Nigerians to be proud of their identity while adopting ideas that can improve governance, protect rights and expand opportunities. He also insists that Nigerian experiences and voices belong to international forums and debates.

To make this vision more inclusive, it is necessary to expand access to civic education, digital tools and leadership training. Cosmopolitan values ​​should not remain the elite reserve. They must be translated into policies and programs that empower young people, strengthen institutions and strengthen confidence in public life.

In the end, what Nigerian influencers offer through their cosmopolitan vision is a redesigned future. They believe that a new Nigeria is not only possible, but achievable by aligning national development with global responsibility. Their messages defy the country beyond the limits of its policy and to engage with the world as equal participants to shape its future.

Publisher’s note: This article is a product of infoprations’ Project of communication strategies for the Nigerian influencer project, 2025. The team includes Abdulazeez Sikiru Zikirullah, Moshood Sodiq Opeyemi, Bello Opeyemi Zakariyha and Oni Oluwaseun.