Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), has warned that the country could face significant consequences if Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso fail to return to democratic rule.
The three West African nations have been under military control in recent years, and after leaving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), they formed the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Musa highlighted that the leadership failures in these countries directly impact Nigeria, contributing to issues such as poverty, climate change, and governance instability. He pointed out that while Nigeria is making efforts to address security challenges, instability in neighboring nations complicates these efforts. “We have issues of poverty in West Africa, a lot of issues with governance, challenges with Niger Republic, Mali, and Burkina Faso. They are under significant strain due to large territories, widespread poverty, climate change, and a lack of political will,” he said.
Musa stressed the importance of strong governance in these countries, emphasizing that a democratic system would create better decision-making frameworks. “For us in Nigeria, we have a lot to lose if they don’t get it right—they must have a democratic system to make decisions that will benefit their countries,” he added.
The CDS also pointed to ongoing efforts by the federal government to enhance border management between Nigeria and its neighbors to reduce security threats. In response to the latest global terrorism index, which ranked Nigeria sixth, Musa assured that security in the country has significantly improved. “The federal government is working hard to ensure we have a robust border management system because protecting our borders is crucial,” he said.
While acknowledging that some security challenges persist, Musa noted there has been progress, with fewer attacks reported in 2024. “If you travel around the country, you will see that many things have improved; farmers are returning to their farms, and peace is gradually returning. Nigerians are noticing the changes, and we must continue working together to achieve more,” he concluded.
