PASSPORTS AND THE PECKING ORDER

Passport status determines one's treatment in a globalized world. Joshua J. Omojuwa argues that the passport does not merely vouch for its bearer, but also sets the bar for entry into privileged regions. Two men, one a convicted felon from Ohio and the other a Nigerian industrialist, illustrate this disparity. While the felon can fly to Rome without a hitch, the Nigerian must gather documents, prove his worthiness and endure weeks of bureaucratic hurdles.

This pattern repeats across the globe, with the global south facing visa-related challenges while the global north enjoys unimpeded access. This system of stratification is not unique to Nigeria, but prevalent across the developing world. The irony lies in the global south emulating these barriers within its own borders, all while extending open arms to the world's elite.

The underlying issue is the unequal treatment based on birthplace, reducing individuals to mere suspects. Universal declarations of human rights ring hollow when the right to freely enter and exit one's own country remains a mere theoretical concept for many. Countries that lecture on openness often erect the most restrictive borders for citizens like them, creating a paradoxical situation.

While these nations lament the lack of mobility, they are the ones maintaining the gates. The power gap persists, not because of misplaced outrage, but because power is built, not begged for. Instead of lamenting the disparity, the focus should be on strengthening domestic institutions, fostering economic growth and positioning oneself as a desirable destination.

The global north's grouping of countries is a lesson in power dynamics, where the strength of a passport reflects a nation's influence. Building stronger nations, with thriving economies and stable institutions, will ultimately change perceptions, rendering visa hurdles obsolete. It is a long-term, arduous process, but one that can only benefit those confined within the narrow confines of a passport.