Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FSB International Bank Plc, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, has expressed deep concern about Nigeria's and Africa's place in the rapidly evolving global order and economy.

Speaking in Abuja as the Chairman of the public presentation of two books, Beneath the Surface and Leading in a Storm, authored by Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a former member of the House of Representatives and ex-Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Hayatu-Deen reflected on the global shifts shaping the world’s future.

He observed that the relative peace, stability, and prosperity enjoyed since the end of the Second World War in 1945 have been significantly disrupted by unfolding global events, especially since the beginning of 2025.

According to him, the twin pillars of multilateralism and globalization have faced serious setbacks, leading to what he described as a “profound reshaping of long-established rules of global governance.”

“The world now lives in an age of turbulence and uncertainty,” Hayatu-Deen said, “and developing economies, particularly in Africa, are likely to bear the brunt of the fallout from these seismic shifts.”

He noted that experts estimate it could take about 25 years for the world to adjust to the new order, which will be defined by both established and emerging powers. Against this backdrop, he urged Nigeria and other African nations to urgently devise enduring strategies to navigate the transition and secure their place within the reconfigured global structure.

Posing a series of thought-provoking questions, he asked:

“How will Africa and Nigeria cope with these ferocious headwinds? Will we remain passive spectators, or will we seek to understand and respond strategically to unfolding events? Can we mitigate emerging threats and harness new opportunities? In a world leaning toward nationalism and protectionism, can we strengthen self-reliance and rapidly build internal capabilities? More importantly, can we forge strong alliances across Africa to expand trade and investment through platforms like the AfCFTA?”

Hayatu-Deen stressed that Africa stands “at the cusp of a major global transition that will take decades to resolve,” urging Nigeria to lead proactively rather than allow other nations to shape its destiny.

“We can choose to lead from the front by helping to define this new world,” he said, “or we can choose to be bystanders whose future is written by others. I firmly believe we must seize this moment.”

Turning to Peterside’s books, Hayatu-Deen praised them as “more than literary works they are both a mirror and a compass: a mirror reflecting our current realities and a compass guiding us toward renewal and hope.”

He commended Beneath the Surface for its honest portrayal of Nigeria’s contradictions “a nation rich in resources yet facing recurring hardship, blessed with immense talent yet losing its best minds, a democracy full of promise yet weakened by fragile institutions.”

According to him, Peterside’s essays address pressing national issues hunger, energy, governance, accountability, and youth unemployment not in despair but with the intent to awaken, provoke dialogue, and inspire new thinking.

On the second book, Leading in a Storm, Hayatu-Deen noted that it captures the essence of leadership in turbulent times.

“Dr. Peterside reminds us that crises are no longer interruptions in life they are the new normal,” he said. “True leadership is not merely about surviving storms but learning to navigate them. These insights could not be more timely for a nation like ours, where challenges are frequent and fierce.”

He concluded that together, the two books form “a powerful pairing one diagnosing the state of our nation, the other providing the tools to steer through uncertainty.”

The well-attended event drew dignitaries, policymakers, and thought leaders from across Nigeria and beyond.