Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said it would be diplomatically unacceptable for the United States to carry out any military action in Nigeria without the government’s approval.
Speaking in an interview with BBC World Service on Monday, Bwala emphasized that Nigeria remains a sovereign nation, and its internal security must be treated with respect for its autonomy and territorial integrity.
Nigeria Values Its Partnership With the U.S.
Bwala noted that while Nigeria maintains a strategic partnership with the United States in counterterrorism and intelligence cooperation, any military involvement must be based on collaboration, not unilateral action.
“If it’s a joint operation with Nigeria, that’s acceptable,” Bwala stated.
“But diplomatically, it is wrong to invade a sovereign nation without collaboration, especially one that remains a strategic partner in the fight against insecurity.”
Trump’s Threat Sparks Diplomatic Reactions
Bwala’s comments come in response to recent remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over alleged persecution of Christians.
Trump had also threatened to direct America’s Department of War to take military action against terrorist groups in Nigeria — a statement that has since triggered strong diplomatic reactions in Abuja.
Bwala clarified that Nigeria is not complicit in any of the crises mentioned and continues to uphold religious freedom and human rights within its borders.
“Unilateral intervention only happens when there is evidence that a government is complicit in a crisis. That is certainly not the case in Nigeria,” he added.
