Nigeria is prioritizing regionally-driven solutions in its fight against terrorism, rejecting broad international military intervention and instead advocating for collaborative support of existing, homegrown initiatives. This stance, articulated by Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar during a Tuesday visit to Berlin, signals a deliberate rejection of approaches like those previously proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened military action and conditional aid.
Tuggar emphasized that Nigeria prefers its international partners, particularly those outside of Africa, to align with organically developed frameworks for security challenges. He cited the multinational taskforce addressing the Boko Haram conflict as a successful example of such regional cooperation, accompanied by further initiatives demonstrating progress within the continent. “We’ve found that when our partners engage with initiatives originating from the region itself, rather than imposing solutions they deem appropriate, the outcomes are significantly more effective” he stated. He specifically lauded Germany’s current collaborative efforts.
The assertion comes amidst heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategies following Trump’s aggressive rhetoric, which accused the Nigerian government of inaction regarding violence against Christians and threatened to curtail vital aid. This accusation, while drawing attention to the complexities of the conflict, was widely perceived as an attempt to exert undue pressure on Nigeria’s sovereign security decisions.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul echoed Nigeria’s commitment, recognizing its significant ongoing efforts in combating terrorism. He underscored the shared interest in confronting the threat of terrorism and radical Islamist ideologies, which continue to impact Europe. “Nigeria’s contributions not only protect West African coastal states but also enhance global security” Wadephul acknowledged, expressing a desire for closer collaboration across areas of peace, international security and counter-terrorism.
The ongoing conflict, concentrated in Nigeria’s densely populated northern states, manifests in frequent attacks – including bombings and assaults by militant groups – targeting civilian populations, security forces, markets, schools, churches and mosques. While Germany’s support includes training and equipping Nigerian security forces, the current strategy underscores a broader geopolitical shift, with Nigeria asserting greater agency in shaping its own security policies and resisting externally-imposed solutions, even as it seeks collaborative partnerships. The success of this approach and its ability to effectively address the multifaceted drivers of extremism, remains a crucial test for regional stability.
