What initially appeared to be a conflict between neighbouring countries with a long history of political alignment—Ukraine and Russia—has evolved into a protracted war that has deeply divided the international community, with no clear end in sight. Although Nigeria, and indeed the entire African continent, have consistently called for a peaceful resolution, the conflict continues to generate far-reaching political, economic, and humanitarian consequences globally, Michael Olugbode reports.
The war between Ukraine and Russia has become one of the defining conflicts of the 21st century. What began as a dispute rooted in history, identity and post-cold war security arrangements escalated in February, 2022 into a full-scale invasion that has reshaped global politics, energy markets, food security and international norms.
While the battlefield lies in Eastern Europe, the consequences are global — and they are being felt sharply across Africa. From rising food prices and inflation to energy insecurity and diplomatic fragmentation, the conflict has reinforced a hard reality: modern wars rarely remain regional.