Nigerian Military Faces New Pressure as Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali Exit ECOWAS

The removal of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has put more strain on the Nigerian military, according to Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).

Abubakar highlighted the security ramifications of the three nations' withdrawal from the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) during the beginning of the First Quarter Meeting with Branch Chiefs, Air Officers Commanding, and Commanders on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to the CAS, the region's current security frameworks have been upset by the withdrawal of these Sahelian states, with multinational security cooperation being most impacted.

The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which is essential in fighting Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, will be directly impacted by this development, he said.

"The MNJTF's ability to conduct joint operations is now significantly impacted by AES member states opting out and Chad considering withdrawal," Abubakar said.

He went on to say that Nigeria's military, especially the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), would now need to play an even bigger responsibility in keeping the area safe, which calls for a more resilient, flexible, and agile response.

Military Reaction with a Strategic Focus

Abubakar underlined the necessity of bolstering operational readiness, improving inter-agency cooperation, and utilizing sophisticated air power in light of the increased security concerns, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

"As we move forward through 2025, leveraging advanced air power, improving inter-agency coordination, and strengthening operational readiness will be crucial in mitigating these evolving threats," he stated.

Additionally, he pointed out that the Sahel region has continued to be a hotbed of terrorism and conflict, with extremist organizations associated with Al-Qaeda taking advantage of lax government to increase their power. The Lake Chad Basin's open borders have made it easier for extremist groups to continue their operations, which continues to threaten regional stability.

Risks to Gulf of Guinea Security

Abubakar admitted that the Gulf of Guinea is still susceptible to marine crimes like piracy and illicit oil bunkering outside of the Sahel. To improve marine security in the area, he emphasized the need for more regional collaboration and ongoing aircraft observation.

"A unified approach is necessary to address these challenges, with a focus on coordinated air operations, intelligence sharing, and strategic partnerships," he continued.

NAF Operations Forecast for 2025
According to the Air Chief, the current meeting offers a chance to examine Nigeria's security environment in 2024, evaluate operational achievements and difficulties critically, and develop workable plans for NAF operations in 2025.

"As the Nigerian Air Force's senior leadership, it is our crucial duty to ensure that air power is deployed effectively in support of national security objectives," Abubakar stated.

He praised the passion and tenacity of NAF members and encouraged commanders to have committed and forward-thinking conversations as they make plans for the upcoming year.