Nigeria said on Sunday that it is open to help from the United States in combating Islamic insurgents, as long as its territorial integrity and sovereignty are respected. The statement came in response to threats from American President Donald Trump, who said he had asked the Department of Defense to prepare for possible “swift” military action in Nigeria if the country does not face what he called the “persecution of Christians”.
With more than 200 million inhabitants and around 200 ethnic groups, Nigeria has faced the actions of organizations such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State (ISWAP) for more than 15 years, which operate predominantly in the Northeast of the country and have caused thousands of deaths and displacement of people.
Still, reports indicate that the attacks are not exclusively religiously motivated. Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) indicates that approximately 1,900 attacks have been carried out on civilians this year, of which around 50 have been declared targets of Christians, which calls into question simpler or sectarian views.
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Economic implications
Opening up to American cooperation could have important economic consequences. The perception that the Nigerian government is willing to collaborate internationally, even demanding respect for sovereignty, may make the country more likely to receive investment.
However, the high economic cost of insecurity (including problems with displacement, destruction of infrastructure and loss of productivity) can restrict potential economic growth.
Recently, the United States approved the sale of US$346 million in weapons to Nigeria to reinforce the fight against insurgency. In September 2025, the US also allocated US$32.5 million to Nigeria to combat famine linked to the conflict.
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Nigeria’s position of openness to foreign aid, but firmness regarding its sovereignty, signals an important change on the African geopolitical board.
