A Nigerian author, Edeh Benjamin, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to champion the creation of a United African Republic – a proposed federation of all ECOWAS member states as a radical solution to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.

Benjamin, speaking in an interview with Arewa PUNCH in Kaduna, argued that piecemeal constitutional reforms or the activities of political platforms such as the African Democratic Congress cannot address the depth of insecurity currently confronting Nigeria and the broader West African sub-region.

Rather than relying on what he described as “outdated national boundaries and fragmented sovereignties,” Benjamin  advocated for a continental shift — the unification of all West African countries into a single sovereign entity known as the United African Republic.

“The real solution is unity. The United African Republic, made up of all current ECOWAS countries, would function as one nation. This will allow us to operate with one government, one defence force, and one economy,” Benjamin said.

The author is an literary writer of the highly acclaimed book, The Broken Wings of an Eagle and a growing voice within the Pan-African circles, disclosed that he had already submitted a formal proposal to the presidency, urging decisive action on the bold idea.

He argued that the persistent insecurity, terrorism, and underdevelopment afflicting Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries stem largely from the colonial-era borders that have left the region weak, divided, and vulnerable.

“These fragmented borders only serve the interests of insecurity and disunity. They are colonial legacies that have outlived their purpose,”  he said.

As the current Chairman of ECOWAS, President Tinubu, Benjamin noted, is “uniquely positioned” to lead the charge for a historic unification of the 15 ECOWAS nations — including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and others — into one super-state.

“This isn’t just a political dream. It’s a survival strategy. Insecurity is a regional disease. We need a regional cure, and that cure is unity,”  Benjamin insisted.

According to him, the proposed United African Republic would feature: “a unified military and intelligence network; a central government representing all member states; shared citizenship, currency, and infrastructure; a single constitution binding all members as one nation.”

To achieve this vision, Benjamin recommended that ECOWAS urgently establish a transitional committee tasked with drafting a federal constitution and drawing up a roadmap for political unification.

He further urged for immediate continental consultations, youth mobilisation, and educational campaigns across the sub-region to sensitise citizens on the benefits of unity.

He challenged President Tinubu to seize the moment and leave behind a pan-African legacy far greater than national achievements alone.

“Let history remember you not just as a president of Nigeria, but as a founding father of a new African super-nation — the United African Republic,”  Benjamin declared