The recent confrontation between the United States and Nigeria, sparked by US President Donald Trump’s threat of military intervention, has brought the relationship between the two nations to a critical juncture.
According to Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (Rtd), former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, this situation presents both danger and opportunity for a more resilient and mutually beneficial alliance.
Buratai, through his Media Adviser, Ibrahim Danfulani in a statement, argued that the “Christian genocide” narrative is a simplistic distortion of Nigeria’s complex realities, and that acting on this fallacy would be a strategic blunder for the US.
He warns that a coercive, militaristic approach would weaken American credibility, unite Nigerians against a common external aggressor, and drive the country into the arms of rivals like China and Russia.
Instead, Buratai advocates for a pivot from public coercion to resolute, private collaboration, recommending that the US should offer advanced intelligence collaboration, specialized counter-insurgency training, and security aid tailored to Nigeria’s unique threats.
In addition, he said the US should recognize the potential benefits of Nigeria’s economic vision, including the transformative Dangote Refinery, and position American enterprise as a primary partner in “this burgeoning energy sector”.
Buratai also called on Nigeria to take a more proactive approach to its diplomatic efforts, including Diplomatic Surge as well as deploying ambassadors to key capitals and high-level delegations to directly address the genocide falsehood before US decision-makers.
The Army Chief said by choosing earnest dialogue and committed collaboration, both nations can forge a more robust, respectful, and productive relationship.
“A stable, prosperous Nigeria is in the best interest of the US, and vice versa. It’s time for both countries to work together to address shared challenges and build a brighter future for their citizens”. Buratai advised.
