US-Nigeria relations at critical juncture – Ex-COAS, Buratai

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (Retd) has said that the relations between Nigeria and the US government has reached a critical juncture following the warning by President Donald Trump to send in the military if the Nigerian government doesn’t secure the lives of Christians.

He said the situation presents both danger and opportunity for a more resilient and mutually beneficial alliance.

Buratai, through his Media Adviser, Ibrahim Danfulani, in a statement, argued that the “Christian genocide” narrative is a simplistic distortion of Nigeria’s complex realities and that acting on this would be a strategic blunder for the US.

He warned that a coercive, militaristic approach would weaken American credibility, unite Nigerians against a common external aggressor and drive the country into the arms of rivals, like China and Russia.

He advocated for a pivot from public coercion to resolute, private collaboration, recommending that the US should offer advanced intelligence collaboration, specialised counter-insurgency training and security aid tailored to Nigeria’s unique threats.

In addition, he said the US should recognise the potential benefits of Nigeria’s economic vision, including the Dangote Refinery and position American enterprise as a primary partner in “this burgeoning energy sector.” He also called on Nigeria to take a more proactive approach to its diplomatic efforts, including diplomatic surge, as well as deploying ambassadors to key capitals and high-level delegations to directly address the genocide falsehood before US decision-makers.

The former Army Chief said by choosing earnest dialogue and committed collaboration, both nations could forge a more robust, respectful and productive relationship.

“A stable, prosperous Nigeria is in the best interest of the US and vice versa. It’s time for both countries to work together to address shared challenges and build a brighter future for their citizens,” he advised.