Senator Jimoh Ibrahim stated at the United Nations Parliament in New York
During a parliamentary hearing at the United Nations in New York, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Nigeria, urged the international community not to forget the generational grievances that have troubled Nigeria since 1914 and have consistently contributed to security challenges. Ibrahim noted that the colonial authorities failed to adequately address insecurity; for instance, in 1960, just seven years after independence, a region in the former southern protectorate ignited a civil war against the Nigerian state, challenging its independence and sovereignty by attempting to secede as the Republic of Biafra.
This was followed by numerous civil protests since 1960. If adequate measures had been taken, such as addressing these generational grievances, such problems might have been avoided. Nevertheless, remnants of such demands persist in our political landscape today; the problems were not initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
Ibrahim noted that President Tinubu is likely to continue seeking international aid to address insecurity, mirroring the U.S. approach after September 11, 2001. The concerns include misinformation and disinformation about insurgent leaders, biases in counter-terrorism strategies, and terrorists’ evolving tactics and appearances. These terrorists operate under a powerful ideology, use surprise attacks, and benefit from a global network of allies, supporters, and advanced technology. The most alarming scenario for counterterrorism is terrorists obtaining weapons of mass destruction—such as nuclear, chemical, or biological arms—which has led President Tinubu to pursue global cooperation. Ibrahim communicated this viewpoint to colleagues at the ongoing Global Parliament hearing in New York. Additionally, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim served as the Interim President of the IPU General Assembly in Geneva in 2023.
Ibrahim observed that none of the British constitutions from 1922, including those led by Lord Clifford and later versions such as the Lord Richard constitution of 1946, the Lord John MacPherson constitution of 1951, the Lord Lyttleton constitution of 1954, or the 1960 independence, had any significant effect on resolving insecurity. Even after Nigeria gained independence, the British continued to appoint the Chief of the Nigerian Army Staff.
The leadership of the Nigerian Army was not fully indigenised until 1965. Major General Norman Foster served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) from 1960 to 1962, and Major General (Sir) Christopher Welby-Everard succeeded him. It was not until July 1966 that a Nigerian, Major General J.T.U Aguiyi-Ironsi, was appointed the army chief, still with the GOC nomenclature. President Bola Tinubu was never involved in such an arrangement.
Ibrahim stated that during the early trajectory phase, the military temporarily assumed governance through interventions from 1966 to 1993. During this period, nine military coups occurred, but they achieved limited success in tackling these security challenges.
Specifically, regarding Boko Haram, Ibrahim stated that the current setup of the Nigerian military and the armed forces’ structure needs external support for the counterinsurgency effort to succeed, and support from Turkey, the United States, and China is welcomed.
Ibrahim observed that the British colonial authorities recognised security concerns but primarily addressed them through strategic handover documentation. For instance, they retained control of the Navy even after Nigeria’s independence, only relinquishing it in 1964. Rear Admiral A. Kennedy, a British officer, commanded the Nigerian Navy from 1958 until 1964, when leadership was transferred to Nigeria’s first indigenous Navy, Commodore (later Vice Admiral) Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey.
President Bola Tinubu will address security concerns through a strategy centred on cooperation and partnerships, and on promoting a democratic peace environment. The Nigerian Senate is convening a National Security Summit to resolve generational grievances, and with an increased budget and higher prioritisation, President Tinubu is gaining greater legitimacy for solutions both domestically and internationally. The President is a liberalist, emphasising friendliness to all and enemies of none in Nigeria’s foreign policy. Ibrahim also noted that, with approximately 70 ambassadors deployed to various countries, Tinubu has signalled that the international community should renew and expand its investments in Nigeria.
