Nigeria must fix its problems, not rely on foreign intervention – Mafa

By Chinenye Anuforo

U.S.-based tech entrepreneur and healthcare innovator, Seun Mafa, has warned against placing hope in foreign political promises, insisting that Nigeria’s challenges must be solved internally by Nigerians themselves.

Mafa, the Chief Executive Officer of 5Africa, made the remarks while reacting to comments by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump, who recently suggested he would “rescue Nigerian Christians.” While acknowledging the emotional appeal such statements may have among religious communities, Mafa argued that the narrative promotes dependency, undermines Nigeria’s sovereignty, and fuels a perception that African nations need external saviors.

Drawing from historical trends, Mafa said foreign intervention—even when framed as assistance—has often led to instability, weakened institutions, and long-term national setbacks.

“History continues to show that when global powers step into domestic conflicts under the banner of rescue or support, the outcome rarely favors the people in the long term,” he said. “Nigeria cannot afford to repeat those mistakes.”

Mafa emphasized that the country possesses the resources, human capital, and resilience needed to address its own issues. He identified governance failures, weak institutions, corruption, insecurity, and social division as internal challenges requiring homegrown solutions.

He further stated that calls for foreign intervention distract from the responsibilities of Nigeria’s political, religious, and civic leaders, as well as its citizens.

“We must shift the focus from external promises to internal accountability,” Mafa said. “True progress will come when we strengthen our institutions, promote justice, uphold the rule of law, and build unity across religious and ethnic lines.”

While expressing concern for the safety of Christians and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria, Mafa stressed that lasting protection cannot come through foreign guarantees but through systems deliberately built to safeguard lives and dignity.

Mafa concluded by noting that every foreign nation ultimately prioritizes its own interests. Nigeria, he said, must do the same.

“The future of Nigeria will be determined by the choices we make, the leaders we hold accountable, and the systems we build not by pledges from abroad,” he stated.