When Leadership Works: Foreign Support and Nigeria’s Renewed War on Terror By: Farouk Ozigi Onimisi (The White Orator)
When Leadership Works: Foreign Support and Nigeria’s Renewed War on Terror
By:
Farouk Ozigi Onimisi
(The White Orator)
For years, Nigerians have lived under the heavy shadow of insecurity, especially in the North-West where banditry, terrorism and organised criminality have turned farmlands into killing fields and highways into corridors of fear. Every sincere citizen has longed for decisive action—action that goes beyond rhetoric and reaches the roots of the problem. Recent reports of a United States airstrike support operation in North-West Nigeria, aimed at dismantling terror enclaves, therefore represent more than a military move; they signal renewed hope for a nation that has bled for too long.
This development, whether viewed from a strategic or symbolic angle, speaks volumes. It reflects a Nigeria that is once again being taken seriously on the global stage. It suggests a presidency that understands the complexity of modern security challenges and appreciates the necessity of international cooperation in combating transnational threats. Terrorism and banditry do not respect borders; confronting them requires intelligence sharing, technical support and coordinated global effort. Attracting such foreign intervention or support is not a sign of weakness, as critics would want us to believe, but evidence of mature leadership and pragmatic governance.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves commendation for this trajectory. In a relatively short time, his administration has rolled out bold policies that are beginning to yield visible results. From economic reforms aimed at stabilising the fiscal space, to renewed diplomatic engagements that reposition Nigeria as a strategic partner rather than a regional liability, the direction is clear: Nigeria is back to serious governance. Security reforms, intelligence restructuring and a firmer stance against criminal networks are gradually restoring confidence, not only among citizens but also among international allies.
It is therefore deeply disappointing—but not surprising—that some voices have chosen to politicise or outrightly condemn this development. To oppose any effort that weakens terrorists and bandits simply because it does not align with one’s political sentiment is both irresponsible and dangerous. Those unhappy with foreign support in tackling insecurity must answer a simple question: are they more concerned about partisan ego than Nigerian lives? When communities are freed from fear, when farmers return to their fields, and when children sleep without the sound of gunfire, that is victory—pure and simple.
Let it be stated clearly: insecurity is not a partisan issue. It is a national emergency. Any intervention, domestic or international, that is properly coordinated and aimed at restoring peace should be applauded, not attacked. Constructive criticism is healthy in a democracy, but blind opposition in the face of progress is nothing short of sabotage.
Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads. The signs emerging—stronger leadership, effective policies, and renewed international confidence—suggest that the country may finally be turning a corner. This moment should be consolidated with unity, patriotism and honesty of purpose. History will not remember those who shouted the loudest against progress; it will remember those who stood for peace, stability and the survival of the nation.
Indeed, if these efforts continue and are sustained, the narrative of Nigeria as a helpless victim of insecurity may soon give way to a new story: that of a resilient nation, led by a working President, reclaiming its sovereignty and dignity—one decisive step at a time.
Farouk Ozigi Onimisi a public affairs commentator writes from Abuja Nigeria 27th December 2025
