Abuja, Nigeria – Beneath the rumble of fighter jets and the whispers of coups, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed unwavering security support for Nigeria this week. But the nation’s tango with both Islamist insurgency and economic hardship cast a long shadow on the partnership.
Blinken’s Tuesday meeting with President Bola Tinubu was steeped in the anxieties of a region on the edge. The specter of last year’s coup in neighboring Niger, one in a chain of West African power grabs, served as a grim reminder of the fragility of democracy. This political turbulence, coupled with concerns over civilian casualties in Nigeria’s military campaign and rampant corruption, painted a complex picture for the US-Nigeria alliance.
“The United States is determined to be and remain a strong security partner for Nigeria,” Blinken declared, reaffirming the commitment of Washington and its allies who have long backed Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram and other militant groups.
However, the pledge resonated with a discordant note. A recent Reuters investigation exposing civilian casualties from Nigerian airstrikes underscored the delicate balance between security and human rights. Blinken acknowledged this tension, urging the Nigerian government to prioritize “protecting civilians and upholding humanitarian principles.”
The shadow of the Niger coup, which toppled a key US ally, further deepened the anxieties. Juntas across the continent have severed ties with traditional Western partners like France, raising fears of a domino effect. Blinken’s four-nation African tour, encompassing Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola, aimed to reassure allies and navigate this increasingly volatile landscape.
Beyond security, Blinken addressed the economic hurdles hamstringing Nigeria’s potential. Capital flight and endemic corruption were identified as key roadblocks deterring foreign investment in Africa’s largest economy. The $7 billion pileup of matured forex forwards, a testament to the crippling foreign currency shortage, further underscored the gravity of the situation.
Despite assurances from the Central Bank of Nigeria, concerns linger. Only $2 billion of the backlog has been cleared, leaving vital sectors like manufacturing, aviation, and petroleum gasping for breath.