“The greatest things in life are at the other end of difficult conversations,” said American negotiation expert Kwame Christian. The most valuable truths are often hidden behind the most uncomfortable conversations. Avoidance may feel like safety, but in reality, it places a ceiling on growth. When individuals and nations lean into advocacy and conflict resolution, they make a conscious decision to exchange temporary comfort for lasting insight.

Perhaps we should begin by understanding the meaning of global advocacy in the context of the state visit to be undertaken by the Nigerian government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on March 18-19, 2026. In simple terms, global advocacy refers to structured and organized cross-national efforts to influence systems, strategies, cultures, policies and public opinion on critical issues such as human rights, health and equality. It relies on coordinated action, credible data and community engagement to drive change at local, national and international levels. At its core lies influence, not the influence of coercion, but the influence of persuasion, collaboration and a shared commitment to progress.

Advocacy, however, did not begin in our generation. It predates whoever is reading this today. From the earliest recorded human civilizations to the stories preserved in history, advocacy has always been the quiet force behind societal transformation. One of the earliest recorded examples appears in the story of the Eloquent Peasant in ancient Egypt, where a humble farmer courageously petitioned against injustice inflicted by a corrupt official. His persistence forced those in authority to listen.

Let me bring the story closer to home.

In 1876, a Scottish missionary known as the “White Queen of Okoyong” arrived in what is today Calabar, Nigeria. Her name was Mary Slessor. At the time, among the Efik people of Calabar, twins were believed to be cursed and were often killed at birth. Slessor challenged the belief with courage and compassion. She advocated against the killing of twins, adopted abandoned children, and sheltered those rejected by their communities simply because they were born in pairs. She also worked tirelessly to end practices such as poison ordeals used to determine guilt. Her actions saved lives and changed traditions. Today, my Calabar friend, Stanley, lives because of advocacy. He often says his own grandfather was a twin who might never have lived if not for the advocacy of Mary Slessor. That is the power of global advocacy: the power to intervene, persuade and ultimately reshape society for the better.

In many ways, Nigeria today finds itself at another historical moment where advocacy matters.

Violence in the form of killings, kidnappings and banditry has reached deeply into the daily lives of ordinary Nigerians. Women, children and the most vulnerable members of society often bear the heaviest burden. Across communities, the pain of lost siblings, neighbours and friends is visible even when people try not to show it. For more than seventeen years, Nigeria has struggled with persistent escalating insecurity. Hardly a week passes without reports of abductions, attacks on villages or violent clashes. These incidents have gradually woven themselves into the fabric of many communities, leaving some citizens exhausted and uncertain about the future.

Advocacy efforts at both local and international levels have tried to respond to these challenges. Civil society groups, humanitarian organisations and concerned global voices have pushed for reforms, accountability and stronger protections for vulnerable communities. Some progress has been made, yet the scale of the crisis continues to demand deeper collaboration.

It is within this context that the upcoming UK state visit by President Tinubu carries significant importance. Nigeria, in many ways, is stepping beyond its comfort zone to strengthen dialogue and partnership with the United Kingdom and its institutions. If realised, this would mark the fourth visit of its kind since the country’s independence, a reminder that diplomacy, like advocacy, is a long journey rather than a single event.

While discussions during the visit will undoubtedly include trade, security and bilateral cooperation, many Nigerians hope that the voice of advocacy will also take centre stage. Where else can a nation turn in moments of deep national strain? Nigeria has signed alliances and bilateral agreements with several countries, including Turkey, the United States, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. Yet insecurity continues to cast a shadow over many communities. This is why global advocacy movements must play a stronger role in shaping the conversations ahead.

Advocacy insists that policies must serve people before power. It reminds leaders that security strategies must ultimately protect the young widow in Borno, the farmer in Kaduna, the displaced family in Benue and the market trader in Kwara. It insists that the dividends of democracy should reach ordinary citizens, not remain concentrated in the hands of political elites.

History shows that global advocacy has helped nations confront injustice, reform institutions, and build more inclusive societies. If approached with sincerity and courage, it can again serve as a powerful tool for Nigeria.

I write this because I believe advocacy carries a voice, a voice louder than the bribes of politicians, louder than the noise of power, louder than the fleets of cars and jets that often symbolise public office in Nigeria.

And as Kwame Christian reminds us, the greatest breakthroughs lie beyond difficult conversations. The UK state visit by President Tinubu should therefore not shy away from those conversations. Instead, it should embrace them openly, honestly and courageously, so that Nigeria may gain the long-term benefit that only truth and advocacy can deliver.

Anuoluwapo Idowu