₦airaland Forum

President Bola Tinubu on Monday rejected the growing reliance on private military and security contractors in conflict zones in Africa, warning that their involvement undermines sovereignty and complicates counter-terrorism operations across the continent.

Speaking during the first plenary session on ’Peace, Security, Governance and Multilateralism’ at the 7th African Union–European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola, Tinubu said peace efforts must be led and owned by African governments rather than outsourced to private actors with opaque mandates.

President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, told heads of state and EU leaders: “We stand resolutely against the use of private military and security companies in African conflicts, as their presence often complicates resolution efforts and undermines state sovereignty.”

Tinubu argued that Africa’s security challenges, from terrorism to transnational organised crime, require coordinated state-driven responses, not parallel forces that weaken command structures.

He said Nigeria’s position aligns with its long-standing approach to regional peace missions under ECOWAS and the AU.

The Nigerian leader also cautioned that the global shift away from multilateralism has created a more fragile security environment, noting that the EU remains one of the few platforms still engaging Africa on a “continent-to-continent basis, anchored on mutual respect and shared aspirations.”

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening peace and democratic stability across the continent, saying the country is “more prepared than ever” to work with the EU to build “a stable, just and prosperous world.”

Tinubu also intensified Nigeria’s bid to secure permanent seats with veto-wielding authority in the United Nations Security Council for Africa, insisting that a comprehensive reform of the global governance system is long overdue.

He tasked the EU with co-creating peace and security initiatives alongside its African partners, anchored on African-led frameworks, as a pathway to achieving sustainable stability across the continent.

Tinubu disclosed that over 250,000 Boko Haram-affiliated individuals had surrendered in early 2025 following the Nigerian Government’s kinetic and non-kinetic measures.

The President stressed that the challenges of armed conflict, illicit weapons, climate pressures, irregular migration, and political instability across Africa now demand stronger cooperation.

“It is time for Africa to occupy permanent seats on the UN Security Council, with all attendant privileges, including the veto. Genuine text-based negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiations framework must now commence.

“It is our hope that EU Member States will support Africa’s long-standing and legitimate call for reform of the United Nations,” he stated.

He noted that addressing these challenges requires renewed AU–EU focus on preventive diplomacy, inclusive governance, and long-term investment in people and infrastructure.

The Nigerian leader acknowledged that the EU has remained one of the AU’s most reliable partners since the creation of the African Peace and Security Architecture in 2002.

He also recalled that Nigeria’s experience has shown that regional instability, if left unchecked, fuels terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and transnational organised crime.

Addressing this, the President stated that his administration had adopted a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin, which, according to him, remains an effective model of African-led cooperative security.

He further noted that a major component of Nigeria’s strategy continues to yield positive security outcomes, adding: “As of early 2025, over 120,000 Boko Haram-affiliated individuals, including family members, have surrendered.”

Nigeria’s commitment to regional stability is further reinforced by the recent Sea-Lift Agreement between the Nigerian Navy and the AU Standby Force, enhancing Africa’s rapid deployment capabilities for peace operations and humanitarian support,” he added.

Furthermore, the President commended the EU’s commitment to restoring peace in the Sahel, while recognising Europe’s understandable concern over irregular migration, much of which originates from ungoverned spaces shaped by insecurity.

On the security situation, the President called for an EU initiative anchored on African-led frameworks and regional ownership to drive positive outcomes.

He said, “However, recent experience has shown that externally driven initiatives, however well-intentioned, cannot succeed at pace without strong regional ownership and a grounded understanding of local dynamics.

“Peace and security initiatives must therefore be co-created with African partners and anchored in African-led frameworks.”

On irregular migration, the President advised that the issue must be addressed in a manner that acknowledges its deep economic and demographic drivers, as criminalising mobility has only compounded insecurity across the continent and beyond.

Instead, he proposed structured labour pathways, such as Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps for cooperation within the Global South and Business Process Outsourcing, where Nigeria’s highly skilled youthful population can contribute to Europe’s labour needs without resorting to irregular migration.

“Seasonal mobility has underpinned West African civilisation for centuries the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement simply acknowledges this reality.

“Our joint task is to convert mobility into safe, orderly, and productive pathways that benefit both continents,” he said.

Similarly, the President frowned on the resurgence of Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa, highlighting that it undermines the democratic foundations upon which the African Union was built.

He said these disruptions cannot be separated from exogenous pressures that distort political balances and strain already fragile systems.

Tinubu called on the European Union to work closely with African partners in addressing the structural drivers of these crises.

“To this end, Nigeria and its neighbours have initiated the Regional Partnership for Democracy, an initiative aimed at strengthening constitutional order, countering extremist narratives, combating disinformation, and supporting governance reforms across West Africa.

“It reflects our conviction that security and democratic stability must be pursued simultaneously.

“The conflict in Sudan has resulted in more than 40,000 deaths and displaced over 12 million people,” he stated.

The President welcomed the G7’s call for renewed diplomacy.

However, “external actors fuelling the conflict must be held accountable,” he stated.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/tinubu-rejects-use-of-mercenaries-in-counter-terrorism-efforts/%3famp

Nawaoooo. When is this killings going to stop.

Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnuuuuuuuuuuuuuuubbbbbbbbbuuuuuuuuuu

Allow American involvement in our security issues or loose our votes in 2027..

Arewa to Tinubu on 15th Nov 2025..


Tinubu’s ambition worth more than Nigerian lives, it’s a pity..
This man always bends his knees to Arewa..

He obviously don't want the genocide to stop

Ive heard many of his supporters asked what to be differently from what their lord is doing right now

But the man simply don't just want to do anything that would affect his re-election cos by now a simple threat to the Northern elders to call their boys to order or see the full wrath of government even if it's hiring mercenaries would have done the magic

But man is just too selfish to rule a nation

Not Tinubu, is The North rejects foregn mercineries, they call the shot, while the yell-owba-s postrate ASAP

All they want is for the foreign bodies to send in the money and equipments so that them go chop am.

ndiala

There are too many saboteurs within our military men. We can't continue to be waiting for their excuse. If Mercenaries will do the work, so be it

Same decision Tinubu, Buhari and the APC asked Jonathan to do in 2014? With the degree of sabotage, espionage and betrayal in the military in Nigeria today, only a neutral third party can deal decisively with the unabating security situation

This admo6 should try workable options urgently and stop the rhetorics

Shebi na mercenaries start the terrorism. Lol. Mercenaries just don’t go away. They create excuses to stay forever and destabilize the country.

ambale:
Ive heard many of his supporters asked what to be differently from what their lord is doing right now

But the man simply don't just want to do anything that would affect his re-election cos by now a simple threat to the Northern elders to call their boys to order or see the full wrath of government even if it's hiring mercenaries would have done the magic

But man is just too selfish to rule a nation

that’s why all his appointments are going to the north…you think it is everybody that will reason one way like zombie

He is a very stupid person. A country where a brigadier general is killed like a dog needs every help it can get.

helinues:
There are too many saboteurs within our military men. We can't continue to be waiting for their excuse. If Mercenaries will do the work, so be it

The first time you ever make sense in your life.

This drug baron does not want to solve this terrorism problem.

Lanretoye:
that’s why all his appointments are going to the north…you think it is everybody that will reason one way like zombie

So what has the appointment done to the insecurity??😂

2mch:
Shebi na mercenaries start the terrorism. Lol. Mercenaries just don’t go away. They create excuses to stay forever and destabilize the country.

Give example of countries were mercenaries started terrorism...olodo

Tinubu don talk say make we no go carry small small army come Dey play army for here

The house of reps is finishing you right now.

Be like them nova pay laptop boys them ooo see comments from 2 of them here na wa oo

CyynthiaKiss:
Allow American involvement in our security issues or loose our votes in 2027..

Arewa to Tinubu on 15th Nov 2025..


Tinubu’s ambition worth more than Nigerian lives, it’s a pity..
This man always bends his knees to Arewa..

What the hell are you talking about? Are mercenaries the same as US forces?

press9jatv:
Tinubu rejects use of mercenaries in counter-terrorism efforts

President Bola Tinubu on Monday rejected the growing reliance on private military and security contractors in conflict zones in Africa, warning that their involvement undermines sovereignty and complicates counter-terrorism operations across the continent.

Credit: Punchng

I don't blame now
His son and children are not kidnapped

The president is making sense.

Those mercenaries, their loyalty is to money not to any country

If I were the president I would pay IDF billions of Dollars to help end terrorism, insurgency, banditry.. or whatever they call them in Nigeria.

The democracy we practice is not made in Africa
Our roads are made by foreigners
our cars are made by foreigners
Our air planes including military jets and copters are made by foreigners
Our politicians use foreign hospitals and doctors
Our loans are from foreign countries

etc etc

What is special in getting foreign help where we have failed to help ourselves??

2mch:
Shebi na mercenaries start the terrorism. Lol. Mercenaries just don’t go away. They create excuses to stay forever and destabilize the country.

Which mercenaries start the terrorism abi your brain dey pain you?

We welcome intelligence sharing. But mercenaries would be surrendering your sovereignty to another nation.

It’s starts well but will never end well. Plus it’s gonna be very costly.

For the first time, I think am wrong, Tinumbu is right.

Jagaban forget that thing...

When your own military is compromised what do you do.. ?

Outsource the security of your people in Key Areas, Cities and States to Mercenaries.

I Salute your Ban on Open Grazing, which is a step in the right direction ..

You wan spoil business for him?

The old man knows what he is doing.. make una leave am o


Obi get woman voice. Still has campaigned too many times


Emilokon will do it .


Agbado and kidnapping una go chop tire

Using private armies, will just make the already long war longer