Nigeria is playing a leading role in the collective security initiatives in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In reaction to the growing extremist threats, it is spearheading operationalization of a regional counterterrorism force that will stabilize a region overwhelmed by violence and political instability.
By the beginning of 2025, the ECOWAS standby force, a region-level unit consisting of 5,000 soldiers, was activated by the Nigerian Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru Abubakar. Its main task is to fight terrorism and organized transnational crime, particularly in hot spots that are growing into centres of extremist violence like the Lake Chad Basin and Sahelian corridors.
Escalating Threats And Nigeria’s Regional Security Role
West Africa and the Sahel was ranked the world epicenter of extremist activity in 2024 by the Global Terrorism Index, with almost 50 percent of all terror-related deaths worldwide in that region. The violent spread of organizations such as Boko Haram and ISWAP and newer actors remain constantly displacing people and destabilizing borders.
The once dominant northeastern part of the country also has the same vulnerabilities as the coastal states such as Benin, Togo, and Cote d Ivoire, which are increasingly vulnerable to incursions by non-state actors, using porous borders and digital recruitment networks to gain influence.
Declining Cohesion Among ECOWAS States
The leadership of Nigeria is challenged by ECOWAS. The joint move was watered down by the joint withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in 2024, under the name the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). This reduces the orderliness of the area by their departure due to their perceived political interference and laziness in fulfilling their safety needs.
The standby force is active in theory, but there are some logistical, financial, and trust-related challenges. Differences in politics and uneven commitment among member states pose a threat to the interoperability and operational capabilities needed to undertake joint missions in real-time.
Operational and Institutional Coordination Challenges
The MNJTF is a coalition of Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger to deal with Lake Chad Basin insurgencies. The various national agendas and political insecurities have, however, at times impeded collective campaigns. The 2025 threat by Chad of withdrawal brought to attention long-running cohesion issues amongst stakeholders.
The MNJTF is a useful structure but it cannot be used singularly to replace a larger, integrated ECOWAS force. The fact that Nigeria is striving to put both efforts back on track shows that it has realized that regional stability can only be achieved through a wider multilateral collaboration.
Integrating Intelligence And Logistics
Nigeria has championed the integration of command structures and intelligence sharing systems although the reality is not that simple. Although there are already existing platforms, such as the Nouakchott Process and Accra Initiative, the operational connections between the national and regional units have yet to be developed.
Absence of standard operations, unequal distribution of military supplies and budgetary deficiencies frustrate coordinated efforts even when the intervention time is short.
Beyond Military Tactics: Addressing Root Causes
Counterterrorism strategists in Nigeria insist on military campaign being backed by governance and social reform. Radicalization continues to be fed by fundamental causes of poverty, joblessness, marginalization, and ecological destruction.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed ECOWAS resolutions that urge member states to invest in inclusive governance and infrastructure that enhances the participation of youth and reduce grievances that can be exploited by extremist recruiters.
Nigeria’s Hosting Of High-Level Counterterrorism Talks
In April 2024, Nigeria was the location of the High-Level African Counter-Terrorism Meeting in Abuja. The delegates highlighted that the African-led solutions were needed within the domain of local processes and relocation of community-based resilience frameworks, education and justice system restructuring.
Its foreign partners like the EU, UK and UN returned back, and also reminded the population that there ought to be sustainable finances and accountability in aid and mobilization of military resources.
Investing In Modern Security Infrastructure
As a leader in its field, Nigeria is increasing the number of investments in surveillance systems, AI-assisted border controls, and quick deployment technologies. Smart systems have been a priority at the Defence Headquarters in efforts to counter the asymmetric warfare methodologies currently being adopted by extremist cells.
The technologies should address any intelligence shortfalls and allow proactive responses. Nevertheless, the acquisition and upkeep of such systems require coordination, training and funds to maintain-assets that lots of the member states do not have or do not invest in.
Training Partnerships And Personnel Readiness
Nigeria has also entered into security agreements with other countries such as the UK where technical training tools on counterterrorist operations, strategic planning and responding to urban conflicts have been provided. However, there still exist interoperability gaps, particularly those concerning ECOWAS states that are not similar in terms of military development.
The development of human capacity within the region is still one of the largest factors influencing the ability to implement the unified strategy across the borders.
Political Instability And External Disruptions
The withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger as members of ECOWAS and the formation of the AES has restructured regional security. The military character of AES leadership systems values sovereignty and does not allow external influence, which restricts the geographical scope of ECOWAS.
The dilemma facing Nigeria is to show leadership by diplomacy, without further polarization and yet maintaining the ECOWAS standpoint relevant and functional in the face of fragmentations.
The Role Of Transnational Extremist Networks
This territorial division is used by organizations such as Al-Shabaab and affiliates of the Da’esh. They respond fast to changing boundaries and lapses in security, increasing their sphere of influence through ideological and financial networks beyond conventional response.
As a response, Nigeria must move towards legal uniformity, financial flow disclosure and common border control procedures that regulate safe havens and recruitment areas.
Building Consensus For Long-Term Stability
Trust is key in ensuring that Nigeria can pull together ECOWAS efforts. Shared goals may be compromised by corruption, poorly-established institutions and short-term political calculations. The leaders in the region need to reaffirm their commitment to ECOWAS treaties and protocols.
Only clear action plans and clear on-the-ground outcomes can turn policy fatigue and donor skepticism around, especially in high-risk regions such as Borno and the Niger Delta.
The Role Of Civil Society And Public Trust
Counterterrorism will never work without the trust of the people. Civil society groups, local leaders and the media should have active participation in policymaking and policy criticism. Military action in the absence of community participation is likely to breed the culture of violence.
Public dialogue around ECOWAS missions and Nigeria’s role can reinforce legitimacy and provide avenues for citizens to participate in peacebuilding efforts.
The Way Forward For ECOWAS-Led Security Cooperation
Nigeria’s stewardship of regional counterterrorism remains one of the few strategic anchors in West Africa. It has the military scale, diplomatic influence, and institutional memory to shape collaborative frameworks for counter-extremism. But these strengths require reinforcement through alliances, reform, and strategic patience.
Security analyst Joseph Cokechukwu recently observed that:
“Nigeria’s stewardship of ECOWAS counterterrorism faces immense challenges, but it is imperative to foster solidarity, integrate strategies, and invest in sustainable peace for West Africa’s future.”
The trajectory of ECOWAS security cooperation under Nigeria’s leadership will be pivotal not only for counterterrorism outcomes, but for the wider question of regional sovereignty, democratic resilience, and post-conflict development across West Africa.
