There Is No Place for a Coup in Nigeria

By Ernest Omoarelojie

In recent weeks, Nigeria’s public discourse has been clouded by rumours of a foiled coup plot involving over a dozen military officers and a former governor allegedly “on the run.” While the Defence Headquarters has issued a characteristically ambiguous statement, the very persistence of these rumours—whether grounded in fact or fabricated through disinformation—demands urgent clarification: There is absolutely no place for military intervention in today’s Nigeria.

This isn’t mere rhetoric. It’s a data-driven conclusion supported by Nigeria’s painful history, the catastrophic failures of recent military takeovers across Africa’s Sahel region, and mounting evidence of foreign-backed disinformation campaigns designed to destabilise democratic governance across the continent. While it is true that the statement from the DHQ neither confirmed nor denied the reports, the speculation has continued to spread rapidly across social media—fuelled by conspiracy theories, propaganda, and coordinated disinformation. Yet, amid the noise, one truth must be re-emphasised and declared without ambiguity: There is no place for a coup or military junta in today’s Nigeria.

No grievance, however genuine, justifies a return to military rule. Nigeria’s democracy may be imperfect, but it remains the only framework capable of reforming itself without destroying the nation. We have already paid too high a price for the lessons of authoritarianism. The mere imagination of another coup is not only reckless but profoundly dangerous for a country still healing from decades of military misadventure.

Between 1966 and 1999, Nigeria endured six successful coups and several failed attempts. The first, in January 1966, plunged the country into chaos, triggering a civil war that claimed over a million lives and left deep ethnic and regional scars that still shape our politics today. Those years of military interregnum—29 in total—brought suspended constitutions, curtailed freedoms, and economic mismanagement that impoverished generations.
By 1998, Nigeria’s per capita income had declined by nearly 40 per cent from its 1980 levels, inflation had soared, and international sanctions had rendered the nation a pariah. Between 1960 and 1999, Nigeria earned more than $350 billion from oil exports, yet emerged with decrepit infrastructure, foreign debt exceeding $30 billion, and rampant poverty. Transparency International later estimated that at least $5 billion was stolen under one military regime alone.
We cannot forget those years. Military rule did not save Nigeria—it nearly destroyed her.

Since 1999, despite setbacks, democracy has delivered measurable progress. Nigeria has experienced seven consecutive elections and four peaceful transfers of power between parties—unprecedented in our history. Our economy has grown from $46 billion in 1999 to over $440 billion today, making Nigeria one of Africa’s largest economies. Freedom of expression and civic activism have flourished. The media is freer than ever, and civil society continues to shape national debate. These gains, however modest, are the fruits of civilian rule.

Contrast this with recent experiences in Africa’s Sahel region, where coups have been romanticised as patriotic revolutions. In Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, soldiers promised stability but delivered chaos. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) reports that violent incidents in Mali have increased by more than 150 per cent since the 2021 coup. Burkina Faso recorded over 8,000 conflict-related deaths in 2023—its bloodiest year on record. Niger, once a model of Western partnership, now faces sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and growing insecurity.

Far from restoring order, military juntas have exacerbated corruption, restricted freedoms, and weaponised propaganda to conceal their failures. Transparency International’s indices confirm that corruption perceptions have deteriorated across all junta-led states. Freedom House now ranks every coup-affected nation as “Not Free.” The message is unmistakable: military rule breeds repression and decline, not progress.

Equally alarming is the rise of disinformation designed to destabilise democracies like Nigeria’s. Research by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and EU DisinfoLab has uncovered coordinated online campaigns—some linked to foreign actors—spreading pro-coup sentiment across West Africa. These networks exploit legitimate frustrations over insecurity and poverty to romanticise military rule and sow distrust in civilian institutions.

This is not patriotism; it is manipulation. Every Nigerian who forwards unverified rumours of a coup or glorifies soldiers as saviours is, knowingly or not, amplifying the work of those who wish to fracture our democracy from within.
Let us be clear: democracy is not perfect. Citizens are frustrated by corruption, unemployment, and governance failures. However, the answer lies in deeper reform, not a return to authoritarianism. Democracy allows us to protest, vote, speak, and litigate. Military rule silences all of that. The difference between democracy and dictatorship is not perfection—it is the presence of choice.

Even now, Nigeria’s institutions continue to evolve. The 2022 Electoral Act has improved transparency and electoral integrity. The Freedom of Information Act empowers journalists to demand accountability. The judiciary, although imperfect, is increasingly asserting its independence. These are steps forward—achievements that would vanish overnight under a military junta.

Nigeria’s Armed Forces have repeatedly affirmed their loyalty to the Constitution. That commitment must be protected and celebrated. Civil society, the media, and citizens must also remain vigilant, resisting any attempt—real or imagined—to drag Nigeria back to the dark era of decrees and fear.

In today’s interconnected world, a coup would not only destroy Nigeria’s fragile stability but also trigger economic collapse, diplomatic isolation, and social unrest. The Sahel’s tragedies are warning enough: the gun cannot build what only governance can.

Nigeria’s future lies not in the barrel of a gun but in the ballot box, in civic participation, and in accountable leadership. The path of democracy is hard, but it is the only one that leads forward. For all our imperfections, democracy gives us hope, adaptability, and voice. Military rule silences all three.

And for that reason alone, there is—and must forever be—no place for a coup in today’s Nigeria.

Ernest Omoarelojie is the Director of Media and Communications for Hope Alive Initiative, a pro-good-governance advocate in Nigeria

There Is No Place for a Coup in Nigeria

NIS Sets to Replace Emergency Travel Certificate with Single Travel Emergency Passport

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Immigration Service is set to introduce a Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) to replace the existing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC).

The announcement was made by the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, during the Joint Thematic Meeting of the Khartoum, Rabat and Niamey Processes, organized and co-hosted by Nigeria in collaboration with Government of France.

Nandap, while making the announcement at the meeting, disclosed that the initiative forms part of the Service’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening Identity Management and Border Governance frameworks in line with global best practices.

A statement on Wednesday by the spokesman of NIS, Akinsola Akinlabi said the high-level meeting convened critical stakeholders in migration management in Nigeria and abroad including National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internal Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP), Representatives from ECOWAS, AU, EU, African and European countries.

He disclosed that the meeting seeks to reinforce coordinated prevention, protection, and prosecution responses to Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons across African and European migration routes among participating Migration Agencies, and serving as a platform for sharing best practices, aligning legal frameworks, and fostering inter-agency cooperation, the forum underscored the importance of collective and sustained action in addressing the root causes of irregular migration, dismantling transnational criminal networks, with emphasis on the protection of rights of objects migrants smuggling and victims of human trafficking

Delivering her keynote address titled “Insights on Prevention and Protection as Strategic Pillars to Effective Law Enforcement and Prosecution Responses” the Nigeria Immigration Service Perspective, the Comptroller-General highlighted part of the Service’s comprehensive reform agenda which also focuses on combating Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons through enhanced Border Governance, improved Migration Management systems, capacity building, and strengthened international collaboration.

Building on this framework, the CGI explained that the forthcoming Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) will serve as a temporary travel document for Nigerians abroad whose passports are expired, lost, or stolen, enabling them to return home in a secure and verifiable manner. She noted that the travel document will be issued at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates abroad and valid only for single entry, reinforcing the Service’s commitment to efficient service delivery and robust identity protection.

The Comptroller-General reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional and global migration dialogues, emphasizing that the Nigeria Immigration Service will continue to align its policies and operations with international standards to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration across borders.

NIS Sets to Replace Emergency Travel Certificate with Single Travel Emergency Passport

Zulum shares 63 patrol vehicles to combat criminality in Maiduguri

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has handed over 63 patrol vehicles to security agencies and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) operating in Maiduguri and its environs.

Out of the 63 vehicles, 30 were given to the 10 different sectors of CJTF, 16 to Rapid Response and Anti-Social Vices, 10 to paramilitary organisations, 6 to hunters and one to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

According to a statement on Tuesday by the governor’s spokesman, Dauda Iliya, the distribution aims to enhance the mobility and response capacity of the police, other security outfits, and the civilian joint task force in tackling security threats such as armed gangs and other forms of criminality within the state capital and its surrounding areas.

He noted that this latest donation is one of the numerous vehicle distributions by the Zulum administration since 2019 all of which are targeted at strengthening the security architecture and safeguarding the lives and property of citizens.

Zulum, while presenting the vehicles, reiterated his government’s commitment to providing continuous logistical support to security forces. He emphasised that security is part of the cardinal priorities of his administration.

He said: “We are here in continuation of our efforts to support the security apparatus in Borno State with equipment and logistics needed for them to function effectively.”

“I want to assure you that the government of Borno under my leadership will continue to support you with a view to achieving the noble objectives in ensuring the state is rid of insurgency.”

He also commended President Bola Tinubu and the security forces for their efforts to restore normalcy in Borno.

He stated: “Let me also use this opportunity to extend my profound appreciation to the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian armed forces, President Bola Ahmed Tunibu, the services chiefs, theatre commander, sector commanders and all officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces that are in operation hadin Kai, and indeed all paramilitary organisations in Borno State for the great works that they’ve been doing in the state.”

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Dr Umar Usman Kadafur, Secretary to Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Naziru Abdulmajid, the State Director of the State Security Service, Adamu Umar and the Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdulrazaq Haroon.

Also in attendance are the Head of Service, Dr Muhammad Ghuluze, commissioners, special advisers and other top government officials.

Zulum shares 63 patrol vehicles to combat criminality in Maiduguri