Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Several leading Nigerian legal, academic, and civil society figures have voiced strong opposition to the presence of U.S. military personnel on Nigerian soil, describing it as a potential violation of national sovereignty and a troubling example of foreign intervention.
The debate intensified after announcements by U.S. and Nigerian officials that approximately 200 American soldiers would be deployed to Nigeria in an advisory and training capacity. U.S. military aircraft have already begun arriving, and officials indicate further deployments are expected over the coming weeks. Nigerian authorities maintain that the U.S. personnel are strictly technical experts operating under the authority, control, and direction of the Nigerian government, and not combat troops.
In a joint statement titled "No to Foreign Forces in Our Land: Defend Our Sovereignty," signatories—including Femi Falana (SAN), Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, Dr. Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Dr. Dauda Garuba, Prof. Massaud Omar, Prof. Mohammed Kuna, Engr YZ Ya’u, and Dr. Usman Bugaje—expressed concerns about constitutional implications and historical precedent. They emphasized that Nigeria has consistently resisted external military control, citing past examples such as the repealed 1960 Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact and Nigeria’s firm stance during the 1976 OAU summit on Angola.
The statement warned that foreign military presence, even under the guise of advisory roles, risks establishing a subtle neo-colonial influence, potentially compromising Nigeria’s constitutional sovereignty. The signatories underscored Section 12(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that no international treaty is enforceable without approval by the National Assembly, noting that prior agreements with the U.S. in 2001 and 2003 were either withdrawn or annulled due to constitutional concerns.
They also highlighted Nigeria’s self-reliant military capabilities, referencing the country’s prominent role in regional peacekeeping missions under ECOMOG, the UN, and the African Union. The group argued that instead of relying on foreign intervention, Nigeria should focus on modernizing its armed forces and police, strengthening intelligence operations, improving troop welfare, supporting local defense industries, and addressing socio-economic factors fueling insecurity.
Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, in an interview, expressed alarm at public apathy compared to the 1960s, when Nigerians actively opposed similar defense pacts. He stressed that citizens often assume foreign assistance automatically ensures security, while historical evidence suggests U.S. military interventions abroad have frequently failed to deliver lasting stability.
The statement concluded with a call for the federal government to uphold Nigeria’s tradition of defending sovereignty, rejecting unconstitutional or neo-colonial military agreements, and ensuring that any defense collaboration aligns strictly with constitutional provisions. The group stressed that sovereignty is a non-negotiable cornerstone of statehood and that concessions made today could be difficult to reverse for future generations.
As the U.S. advisory mission proceeds, the debate over foreign military presence in Nigeria is expected to intensify, raising broader questions about constitutional authority, national security strategy, and the role of external partners in Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations.
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