Nigeria Not a War-Torn Country, Says Expert: Calls for Review of Security Cooperation with Western Nations
Retired Army General and security analyst, Gen. John Adeyemi (rtd), has dismissed the notion that Nigeria is on the brink of disintegration or becoming a war-torn country, describing such views as “selective myopia” of foreign analysts who have never set foot in the country.
Speaking during a discussion in Abuja, Gen. Adeyemi argued that Nigeria continues to defy negative predictions of collapse, stating that despite its challenges, the country remains sovereign, resilient, and functional.
“People are hellbent on proving what their analysts, sitting comfortably in their countries, have predicted that by so and so time Nigeria will disintegrate,” he said. “But every single day Nigeria proves everyone wrong. If I were to write a book about Nigeria, I would title it Nigeria… Against All Odds. We’re still here.”
The retired general questioned recent foreign security advisories urging the evacuation of non-essential diplomatic staff from Nigeria a move usually seen in war-torn nations such as Syria or Afghanistan. “Are we a war-torn country? That’s the question I want to ask. Does it look like that’s the lens they’re using to look at us?”
He accused some Western nations of trying to fit Nigeria into a “failed state” narrative. “We are a sovereign nation. We are not a banana republic.
We are not a failed state by every single index. If the problems they’re talking about were real, you and I would not be here in the Hilton having this conversation.”
Gen. Adeyemi stressed the need for Nigeria to reassess its security relationships with international partners.
“We should absolutely review, redetermine, realign, reassign, reassess. We need to know who our friends are. We don’t need friends in prosperity, we need friends who are here with us 24/7,” he said.
He recalled how Nigeria had faced challenges in securing armaments from traditional allies. “If you recall, when Buhari came into power, there was a shortage of AK-47 ammunition. Our preferred partner for purchase of material and equipment made it exceptionally difficult for us,” he explained.
Responding to suggestions that Nigeria’s deepening ties with Eastern bloc countries and Turkey may have influenced Western attitudes, Gen. Adeyemi dismissed the idea.
“It is absolutely irrelevant. Of course, you see, we are purchasing some armaments from Turkey and all of that, but that has nothing to do with the current posture of some of these countries.”
He concluded by emphasizing that Nigeria must strengthen ties with nations that show genuine commitment to its stability rather than those whose support comes “after the fact.”
