Nigerian military faced by increased security burden after Sahel trio’s ECOWAS exit

The recent withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has placed significant pressure on Nigeria’s military, especially its Air Force.
Air marshal Hassan Abubakar, Nigeria’s chief of air staff, highlighted at a recent meeting in Abuja that the departure of these countries from the regional security framework, particularly the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), has disrupted joint military operations against groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP. The MNJTF, which has long been a collaborative effort among Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, now faces limitations in its operational capacity due to these nations’ exits. When the potential withdrawal of Chad is also taken into account, Nigeria is shouldering more responsibility in maintaining regional security.
“West Africa’s security landscape remains highly complex,” Abubakar noted, highlighting the need for a more robust and agile response from the Nigerian Air Force to address evolving threats. The Sahel region, already a hotbed for terrorism, faces increasing instability as extremist groups exploit weak governance. The porous borders of the Lake Chad Basin further enable these groups to thrive. In addition, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, plagued by piracy and illegal oil bunkering, presents another challenge for Nigeria’s military. Abubakar called for enhanced operational readiness, inter-agency coordination, and advanced air power to counter these mounting security threats effectively. As Nigeria adapts to this new security landscape, collaboration across the region and with international partners remains vital.