Legal experts and civil society advocates have cautioned the Nigerian government to tread carefully in its military cooperation with foreign nations, stressing the need to protect constitutional sovereignty.
The warning was issued by a group of civil society activists, academics, and policy experts, who said allowing foreign troops into the country could weaken Nigeria’s authority over its own security and governance.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the group argued that any nation operating under a clear constitutional system must ensure that external military partnerships do not erode its independence. They warned that decisions made for immediate security needs could have lasting implications if not properly guided by the law.
Among those who endorsed the statement are human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), former official of the Centre for Democracy and Development – Jibrin Ibrahim, Abubakar Siddique Mohammed of the Centre for Democratic Development, Research and Training, and Dauda Garuba, also of the CDD. Other signatories include Professor Massaud Omar of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor Mohammed Kuna of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, former House of Representatives member Usman Bugaje, and YZ Ya’u, Executive Director of the Centre for Information Technology and Development.
They recalled Nigeria’s past stance in rejecting military arrangements considered inconsistent with its laws, including the scrapping of the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact in 1962 and the cancellation of a Bilateral Immunity Agreement with the United States in 2005. According to them, those decisions reflected Nigeria’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty.
Their concerns follow reports that about 100 United States military personnel have arrived in Nigeria as part of a planned deployment of 200 troops.
However, Nigerian military authorities have clarified that the foreign personnel are not assigned to combat duties but are expected to provide training and intelligence support to Nigerian forces.
The development comes after months of criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has accused Nigeria’s government of not doing enough to prevent attacks by armed groups.
The group urged the government to ensure that any military collaboration with foreign partners fully complies with Nigeria’s constitution and safeguards its independence.
About the Author
