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War Against Niger: Why Nigeria Should Look Before It Leaps
War Against Niger: Why Nigeria Should Look Before It Leaps
By Zagazola Makama
Carefully observing the geopolitical map of AFRICA, WAGNER Operation and disassociation from WEST hegemony straddles a straight line from coasts of SENEGAL to SUDAN where a geo-strategic interest lies.
It appears the diversion is in AFRICA, which has become the proxy area for the UKRAINE – RUSSIA war.
In retrospect, the campaign against WESTERN hegemony, especially FRANCE, had eaten deep into AFRICA and has potentially no reverse, as calls rose for, first, AFRICAN leadership to own their countries’ wealth and, second, a united AFRICA.
Equally, WAGNER, an extension of RUSSIAN military diplomacy, spearheaded a Psychological Operations measure to divert attention of NATO and other WESTERN powers’ attention as EUROPE continues to become tense over the UKRAINE – RUSSIA conflict.
For now, WESTERN dominance is on the verge of pulling more resources to maintain relations with AFRICA.
Whatever the consequences, a RUSSIA-led support virus had already been inoculated into the streams of support by part of AFRICA to take sides.
This, therefore, forms the context in which the buildup of tension between the NIGERIA-led ECOWAS and NIGER REPUBLIC over the recent coup overthrowing the Mohammed Bazoum-led democratically elected government of the West African francophone nation should be viewed.
The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government of Nigeria seems hell-bent on leading the combined ECOWAS military to storm Niamey, root out the coupists, free Bazoum from their captivity and reinstate him president of NIGER.
There are numerous salient facts with regard to NIGERIA-NIGER Republic relations that deserve crucial consideration before the ECOWAS forces pounce on NIGER.
This consideration is imperative for NIGERIA to avoid being deceived into a proxy war that will, in the long run, cause its drastic and cataclysmic fall from the enviable heights of West African Giant and, possibly, African leadership.
The most-startling of these facts.
Seven states in NIGERIA, stretching from the North-West to the North-East geopolitical zones border NIGER. The peoples of these states savor centuries-old sociocultural affinity and amity with the peoples of the southern flank of NIGER, contributing substantially to the economies of the countries for ages.
These close ties are about to be crushed by the ECOWAS forces.
Intelligence suggests despite sanctions by ECOWAS, BENIN Republic has opened up borders to NIGER, implying its disagreement with the gang up measure against its neighbor. Suspicion places NIGERIA in tight corners as pro-WEST to act spontaneously against its neighbor.
This is possibly as part of WAGNER psychological Operation to seek further movement of the PMC personnel into NIAMEY in part and WEST AFRICA as a whole.
NIGERIA-NIGER relations have always been excellent up until now. For instance, NIGER is always actively in support of NIGERIA during Counter insurgency Operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force and provides ISR as well as Air Interdiction during most missions.
Military operations, economic transfer and numerous other friendly relations exist between both nations.
The coup may have changed the politics but has not disemboweled the close ties or similarities in cultural and social identity between NIGERIA and her neighbors.
It is assumed the target to frustrate NIGERIA’s key role economically, politically and militarily after solely containing more than a decade old insurgency is likely.
Hence, NIGERIA should continue a broader defense diplomacy with its neighbors to maintain a steady course in foreign policy.
The strong ties NIGERIA with its neighbors should be used to overcome plans to utilize AFRICA as grounds for proxy war between the WESTERN and EASTERN powers.
There is a need for NIGERIA to showcase the big-brother position in aligning with AFRICA’s unity and suggest to her neighbors that despite all shortcomings, measures other than coup may not be a solution.
There is a need to call on the leadership of MALI, BURKINA FASO, GUINEA and others to realize support for one another as well as to devise means of solving the major issues of developing strategies against terrorism and western hegemony.
It will, therefore, be unfortunate to deploy force to NIGER.
Information suggests GHANA, TOGO, GAMBIA and LIBERIA have said they will not deploy troops to NIGER. More so, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, three West African nations, have backed the coup leaders in Niger, a move that poses a threat to regional stability. this is a trap for NIGERIA.
NIGERIA, for her own good, must not fall into this trap. It could be disastrous for, first, its status in the West African region and, indeed, the entire African continent; and, second, its existence as one enviably politically, diplomatically and economically powerful entity in global affairs.
The possible abstention of some of the West African nations from the impending war is not because ECOWAS does not have the capability to deploy a force to NIGER, but because other members will not commit as much resources as expected.
Moreover, ECOWAS will have to explain why it didn’t deploy similar forces to BURKINA FASO, MALI and GUINEA where their military also toppled democratic governments.
Generally, it will be a big strategic miscalculation for NIGERIA to commit to such externalities, with the several internal challenges facing the country.
A diplomatic solution to NIGER’s problem will be the best at this moment. NIGERIA has nothing to prove to the world except its proficiency in diplomatic relations and standing tall in might as a big brother. NIGERIA’s military diplomacy should play a key role in turning key issues.
NIGERIA faces devastating consequences should the war be carried out against NIGER.
Nigeria is strategically positioned into a geographical zone that it can never Win a War on the NIGER REPUBLIC even if the Military Junta is chased out of Niamey.
The following are definite to be the price of the aggression on the NIGER REPUBLIC by ECOWAS by the West African allied forces:
First: Losing President Bazoum. For sure, the first consequences of the War on NIGER is that NIGERIA will only have the corpse of MOHAMMED BAZOUM whom PRESIDENT TINUBU led ECOWAS is so anxious to reinstate immediately Niamey is captured.
Is Nigeria or any fighter for the restoration of democracy ready for that to happen?
Second: More enmity will emanate against Nigeria within the West African region. The country will have more regional enemies than friends because all the Countries bordering NIGER REPUBLIC will not condone the aggression even if they restrain from attacking Nigeria in defense of their ally in the protection of their sovereignty.
Third: Diplomatic relations among West African nations could worsen, leading to the possible collapse of ECOWAS. This situation would be catastrophic to the economy of the region as free movement of its citizens becomes a big regional threat. Already Niger Republic is hosting over 300,000 Nigerian Refugees in Diffa, Bosso and Tumour. These IDPs are already facing stigmatization and humiliation from their host and soon they may be asked to leave.
Four: There could be a proliferation of unprecedentedly frightening forms of terrorism as a result of the presence of huge amounts of Bõko Harām Insurgents across the borders of the two countries that stretched into Mali, Burkina Faso up to the Sene-Gambian Region. Fledgeling or the collapse of ECOWAS would facilitate the infiltration of terrorist groups into the countries much easier than what happened to ISIS’s cross border operations in Syria, Iraq, Turkey and parts of Egypt’s Sinai mountainous region.
In this scenario, more massive funding will be made towards sponsoring “Terrorists Groups”, thus creating more others by International Agencies who have been enemies to “Global Peace” to control sensitively viable areas of economic importance for eventually ceaseless attacks such as the ongoing “Armed Banditry and Kidnappings” that are rampant in the Region.
Five: Inflation and economic recession is definitely going to hit Nigeria immediately the war starts, causing millions of people across the region to lose their jobs, causing high cost of living for the ordinary citizens of both countries.
Six: Famine and rampant deaths would be inevitable as a result of the hampering of all agricultural activities, with the war intensifying where massive hectares of land shall remain without being harvested for more than 75 percent of the region in the same technical manner Bõko Harām disrupts farming for than a decade throughout most parts of the North-East.
Seven: Massive migration across West Africa, and, possibly, between West Africa and other contiguous regions of the African continent would take place as refugees from both sides keep flooding the Sub-saharan region.
With Nigeria presently finding it difficult to manage the growing humanitarian crisis with millions of its Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) due to terrorism and banditry, another unsustainable chaotic conditions will be artificially created for it to handle.
For sure, when the drums of War are beaten and the planned aggression on the NIGER REPUBLIC commences, NORTHERN NIGERIA’s (Arēwa) Region, from Gamboru to Kamba, From ILLELA/JIBIYA/MAI-ADUWA/MAIGATARI to OTURKPO would be submerged in total full scale insecurity.
This could threaten the existence of NORTHERN NIGERIA. Once NORTHERN NIGERIA is gone, the official Federation of what is known as Nigeria would be “Badly Bargained”, forever.
Nigeria should look before it leaps.
To be forewarned is to be forearmed!
Zagazola is a Counter-Insurgency expert and security analyst in the Lake Chad region.
War Against Niger: Why Nigeria Should Look Before It Leaps
NISER, NiDCOM Advocate Stronger Diaspora Policy to Boost National Development
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), in partnership with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has called for a more robust and coordinated diaspora policy framework to enhance Nigeria’s development prospects.
This call was made on Tuesday during a high-level validation workshop convened to review findings from a comprehensive diaspora study spanning six continents. The initiative aims to strengthen engagement with Nigerians abroad and maximize their contributions to the country’s economic and social growth.
In her opening remarks, NISER Director-General, Antonia Taiye Simbine, described the Nigerian diaspora as a critical national asset, noting that annual remittances exceed $20 billion—one of the highest in Africa.
She emphasized that beyond financial contributions, diaspora Nigerians bring valuable expertise, innovation, and international networks that can significantly enhance national competitiveness.
Despite these advantages, Simbine pointed to persistent challenges hindering effective engagement, including inconsistent policies, weak institutional coordination, regulatory constraints, and trust gaps between stakeholders.
She stressed that the validation workshop provides an opportunity to refine the study’s recommendations, ensuring they are practical, inclusive, and capable of driving meaningful impact.
Also speaking, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, urged a strategic shift in how diaspora remittances are utilized. According to her, Nigeria must transition “from remittances for consumption to remittances for investment.”
Dabiri-Erewa highlighted the global competitiveness of Nigerians abroad, noting their contributions across key sectors such as healthcare, technology, and governance. She explained that the study’s findings would help shape a structured roadmap for diaspora engagement, anchored on improved policy coordination, investment-friendly systems, and technology transfer.
She further underscored the need for data-driven policymaking, adding that Nigeria must intentionally transform the challenge of “brain drain” into opportunities for “brain gain” and “brain circulation.”
Contributing to the discussion, representatives of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) emphasized the growing role of diaspora professionals in strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare system. Speaking on behalf of the association’s president, Dr. Bala Muhammad Audu, Dr. Idris Liman noted that innovations such as locally available in vitro fertilisation (IVF) services—once largely accessed abroad—demonstrate the impact of knowledge transfer from Nigerian experts overseas.
He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to fostering collaboration with diaspora medical professionals to improve healthcare delivery and reduce the need for medical tourism.
Participants at the workshop collectively stressed that sustained and well-coordinated diaspora engagement could be transformative for Nigeria’s development. The validation process is expected to yield refined, evidence-based policy recommendations to guide government efforts in integrating diaspora contributions into national planning.
NISER, NiDCOM Advocate Stronger Diaspora Policy to Boost National Development
UK Launches Creative Fund to Strengthen Nigeria’s Film, Fashion, Music Industries
By: Michael Mike
The UK-Nigeria Tech Hub has unveiled a new Creative Fund aimed at boosting local production capacity across Nigeria’s film, fashion, and music industries.
The initiative, backed by the UK Government, is designed to address critical gaps in technical skills, infrastructure, and access to modern production tools within Nigeria’s creative sector.
The fund aligns with the goals of the UK-Nigeria Economic Transformation and Investment Partnership (ETIP) Creatives Working Group, launched in 2025, and follows commitments made during Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom in March 2026.
Speaking on the launch, Director of the Tech Hub, Oyinkansola Akintola-Bello, said the initiative represents a shift from policy discussions to practical action.
She noted that while Nigeria’s creative industry already contributes significantly to the economy, more support is needed to enable creatives to produce high-quality work locally rather than outsourcing key technical processes abroad.
Funded under the UK’s Digital Access Programme and implemented by Tech4Dev, the Creative Fund draws on findings from a 2024 study of Nigeria’s creative ecosystem. The research revealed that the sector employs about 4.2 million people and contributes roughly $3 billion annually to the country’s GDP, despite facing structural challenges.
These challenges include limited access to formal financing, heavy reliance on self-taught skills, and the outsourcing of high-value technical work outside Nigeria.
The fund will support projects across film, fashion, and music, particularly those with strong potential for scalability, job creation, and local impact. It will also help cover technical gaps by funding access to specialists such as visual effects artists, sound engineers, and post-production experts, as well as digital tools like content delivery systems and AI-powered production technologies.
Country Manager for Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa at Tech4Dev, Abraham Akpan,, emphasized that the initiative prioritizes inclusion by supporting women-led and youth-driven ventures, as well as underrepresented groups in the creative economy.
He added that the fund is intended to ensure Nigeria’s creative growth is backed by sustainable local talent and infrastructure.
Applications for the Creative Fund are currently open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Eligible applicants include creative companies, studios, production houses, fashion enterprises, and music labels with clearly defined technical needs and a commitment to co-investment.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s creative value chain and position the country as a hub for high-quality, locally produced creative content.
UK Launches Creative Fund to Strengthen Nigeria’s Film, Fashion, Music Industries
NESREA Shuts Down 30 Non-Compliant Facilities Over EIA Violations
By: Michael Mike
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), alongside members of the press, carried out an enforcement exercise in Abuja, sealing 30 facilities over non-compliance with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements in the construction sector.
In a speech delivered at the briefing, the Director of Environmental Quality Control, Elijah Udofia, said the affected facilities were found to have violated environmental regulations guiding construction activities, prompting decisive action by the agency.
“These violations were identified through NESREA’s routine inspections and compliance monitoring activities. In addition, these facilities also demonstrated unwillingness to fully comply with regulatory requirements relating to environmental documentation and responsiveness to compliance engagements. Where regulatory communication is clear, time-bound, and evidence-based, failure to respond constitutes a serious breach of compliance obligations and poses risks to both the environment and public health,” he said.
Udofia explained that the construction sector, while vital to national development, poses serious environmental risks when safeguards are ignored, including improper waste management, building on floodplains, uncontrolled emissions, and unsafe handling of materials.
He stressed that NESREA’s actions were in line with its mandate to enforce environmental laws and ensure public safety.
“Environmental compliance is not a choice. The regulations are designed to prevent harm before it occurs and to ensure that construction activities are managed responsibly from the start,” he stated.
He added that the agency moved from engagement to enforcement after the facilities failed to meet compliance requirements or respond adequately to regulatory concerns.
The director outlined the measures taken by NESREA, noting that the enforcement actions were aimed at stopping or curtailing environmentally harmful activities, compelling compliance through regulatory interventions, and ensuring that corrective measures are implemented within stipulated timelines.
“These enforcement steps are consistent with the agency’s powers under the NESREA Act and the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations 2011,” he added.
Sending a strong warning to developers and contractors, Udofia emphasized that environmental documentation is mandatory and must be submitted as required by law. He also urged operators to respond promptly to compliance notices and implement proper environmental safeguards on-site.
“Dust control, waste management, erosion prevention, and safe site practices must be integrated into project execution—not added after problems arise. Compliance is part of project success,” he said.
NESREA also reassured the public that its enforcement actions are based on evidence and due process, not sentiment.
“We will continue to enforce the law fairly and consistently across the country,” Udofia noted.
He further called for cooperation from stakeholders to improve environmental performance across the construction sector.
“While we enforce compliance, we also call on stakeholders to cooperate with NESREA. Communities deserve clean and safe environments, and developers deserve predictable regulatory processes,” he said.
The agency concluded that the enforcement action should serve as a clear warning, reaffirming its commitment to strict enforcement of environmental regulations, especially where violations pose risks to public health and the environment.
NESREA Shuts Down 30 Non-Compliant Facilities Over EIA Violations
China Hands Over Landmark ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja, as Leaders Call for Stronger West African Unity
NISER, NiDCOM Advocate Stronger Diaspora Policy to Boost National Development
UK Launches Creative Fund to Strengthen Nigeria’s Film, Fashion, Music Industries
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