by Shaun Eweni

The Scottish people who have decided to go for independence are voting now, and each opinion will be counted.

But how will these votes affect us the people of Nigeria. Scotland which covers the northern third of Great Britain and a very significant part of the United Kingdom, the countries who colonised Nigeria will have a great impact on our country if they gain independence and become a country on their own. Shortly after we gained our independence as a country Nigeria, the eastern part decided to break away into a nation called Biafra and a civil war broke out. Now our colonial masters are playing out the same event, as Scotland calls for independence. The United Kingdom is on the verge of a breakup.

The Niger-Delta which holds 98% of our oil was a part of the nation Biafra is similar to Scotland as it holds 95% of the oil in the United Kingdom. The reason why Biafra wasn’t allowed to break away was because Nigeria’s major source of income was from the oil in Niger-Delta. The breakaway of Scotland from the United Kingdom may be profitable to Nigeria, if Scotland as a nation and the rest of United Kingdom become hostile and refuse to trade goods with each other. The next possible option for oil trading will be Nigeria and it will be very profitable to us as we are a very high oil producing nation. Nigeria who is a part of commonwealth and has a very cordial relationship United Kingdom will be their next source of oil after a break away by Scotland.

If Scotland succeeds in its attempt to break away from the United Kingdom, the Biafra believers may attempt to break away again, possibly escalating tensions in Nigeria. The United Kingdom which is highly respected and imitated by so many countries around the world will trigger a break away by many states who feel a breakaway is needed in their country.

Education is another implication Scotland will have on Nigeria both negatively and positively, if they succeed in the breakaway. Nigerians who seek Educational ambitions will be at a loss if they are already schooling in Scotland and only made that move because Scotland was a part of the United Kingdom, in the sense that Nigerians who obtain schooling certificates from Scotland won’t be respected like those who obtain certificates from England and other countries in the United Kingdom. Scotland which is always ready to accept foreigners and foreign students will probably be the home to Nigerian students who desire foreign education regardless of the respect and pride attached to the country where you school in.

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, told Scottish voters in a speech in Aberdeen that separation would be a “painful divorce” regardless of the promises being made by pro-independence politicians which are too good to be true. If Scotland gains independence changes will be made on its foreign policy, economic ties, immigration, currency, visa requirements and everything else.

The implications of Scotland being a sovereign state won’t be harsh on Nigeria as a country, but will affect Nigerians who are in Scotland.

Emmanuel Chidiogo