For Nigeria, the instability of the Sahel is no longer a distant regional problem-it is a direct security, economic and humanitarian concern.
Abuja is now pushing for a fresh diplomatic strategy built around cooperation, trade and development.
At a high-level retreat of Nigerian ambassadors and Sahel/Lake Chad diplomatic representatives in Maiduguri, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, called for stronger engagement with Nigeria’s neighbours, including efforts to rebuild political and diplomatic ties with the Alliance of Sahel States-Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Enikanolaiye proposed a Sahel Development Compact aimed at shifting the region from crisis management to sustainable development, with priorities including agriculture, infrastructure, trade, energy, education, climate resilience and human capital development.
He also placed the revival of Lake Chad at the heart of the regional agenda, saying more than $50 billion would be needed to actualise the project, which he described as critical to the security, environment and livelihoods of communities across the basin.
Nigeria is also seeking renewed commitment to the Multi-national Joint Task Force and the adoption of a Maiduguri Roadmap to deepen political dialogue, security cooperation, economic integration and humanitarian collaboration with neighbouring countries.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, described Maiduguri’s recovery from conflict as a symbol of resilience and an appropriate setting for charting a new course for regional cooperation.
The retreat is focusing on security and intelligence sharing, trade and infrastructure, agriculture and food security, climate resilience, humanitarian response, youth empowerment and stronger diplomatic ties.
The Ministry said the initiative comes against the backdrop of persistent threats including terrorism, organised crime, irregular migration, climate change and food insecurity, as well as changing geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel.
For Nigeria, the message from Maiduguri is clear: lasting security in the region will require more than military action. It will depend on diplomacy, economic opportunity and stronger ties among neighbours.
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