Former Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman (retired), has acknowledged that the withdrawal of US military forces from Niger in 2024 has had a tangible impact on regional counterinsurgency efforts, but insists that Nigeria must stop relying on foreign support and build its own capacity.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Tuesday,Usman said US Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) reduced presence in West Africa, especially with the loss of bases in Niger and the fusion centre in Chad, had weakened intelligence-sharing and operational coordination.
“Definitely, it impacts on the counterinsurgency effort,” he said.
“But be it as it may, sometimes you have to look at it from the other perspective. In previous instances, even when they were there, most of the intelligence comes either late or too late. Assistance was often attached to certain conditionalities that are prohibitive.”
He cited the example of the US-imposed Leahy Laws, which restricted support based on human rights concerns, as well as the lengthy negotiations over the delivery of Super Tucano aircraft to Nigeria.
The general added that the West’s waning influence in the region has coincided with growing Russian and Chinese presence in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. “Naturally, the United States will not be comfortable with those kinds of things,” he said. “They are gradually losing influence.”
While acknowledging US Marine General Michael Langley’s remarks about regional instability following the US exit from Niger as “legitimate concerns,” Usman argued that the statement should be seen as a wake-up call for Nigeria and its neighbours.
“I rather look at it more or less like a wake-up call, particularly to Nigeria, to look more inward and have more constructive engagement with our West African neighbours,” he said.
“Most importantly, we have to also look inward. We have renewed vigour on the part of our security agencies. Such efforts need to be critically examined, commended, supported, and encouraged.”
Responding to questions about Nigeria’s subservient posture to foreign military actors, Usman stressed that technological and institutional deficits had made the country heavily dependent on external help.
“It is quite obvious that we are far behind technologically—in terms of weaponry and advancement,” he said.
“Therefore, the thing that you do not have, definitely you have to look elsewhere to get.”
He pointed to examples such as the global satellite technology infrastructure, where Nigeria has limited access and is reliant on Western nations for coverage and services. But he was also critical of Nigeria’s lack of foresight in national defence development.
“Let’s look at the issue of starting a military industrial complex almost 60 years ago with Brazil and other countries. It is an order. So when you look at all these things, you will have the answer to the question why,” he said.
Usman warned that national sovereignty should not be traded for military support, but added that difficult choices sometimes must be made under pressure.
“You are looking for something that you don’t have,” he explained.
“It’s left for you to decide whether you desperately need that thing or not. But at the same time, we have to remember that Nigeria is an independent entity. So you have to think of alternatives that will not denigrate your independence and dignity as a nation.”
On how Nigeria can build its own capacity, the former army spokesperson pointed to internal resilience and recent security operations across the North.
“Despite the lack of US presence, you have noticed renewed vigour on the part of the security forces in the Northwest, North Central, and Northeast,” he said. “How did they come about it? Basically, it was internal ingenuity.”
He said that building on this internal effort, as well as strengthening institutions and investing in human resources, would be key to reducing dependency on foreign powers.
“Nigeria is blessed with mineral resources and, most importantly, human resources. How do we take advantage of that to reposition the country?”
He called for enhanced intelligence-gathering and stronger cooperation through regional platforms such as ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which he said remains operational and has seen progress, especially in Nigeria’s Sector 3.
“Recently, Sector 3—which is Nigeria—has been recording tremendous success. It is up and doing. Of course, it can be further invigorated to make it more active with the support of other countries,” he said.
Commenting on the exit of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS and their entry into the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Usman described the move as “a two-edged sword” that affects not just Nigeria but the breakaway countries themselves.
“Much as it impacts on Nigeria, it also impacts on them. The Republic of Niger has been relatively peaceful, especially in the northern part. Now it has security challenges,” he said. “They should understand that security in the West African sub-region is a collective responsibility.”
Responding to criticism by Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, who recently questioned the effectiveness of government efforts, Gen. Usman urged a balanced and constructive approach to public discourse.
“It’s not a question of agreeing or disagreeing,” he said. “Where there are challenges, let it be noted. And let’s be constructive about it, to encourage these people to give in the best they could.”
Ultimately, he called on Nigeria to reclaim leadership on the continent by focusing on governance, regional diplomacy, and building a robust, self-reliant defence infrastructure.
“We have the capacity to be the leading nation—not just in the West African subregion but even on the African continent,” he said. “And of course, a force to be reckoned with in the world, if we are so determined.”
Boluwatife Enome
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