Oge Onubogu, Director of the Africa Programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), has highlighted the need for a broad-based approach to tackling insecurity in Nigeria, warning against framing the crisis solely as religious persecution.
Speaking at a U.S. Congress hearing, Onubogu recommended:
Engaging communities of all faiths and supporting moderate leaders.
Tying security assistance to governance reforms and working closely with state and local authorities.
Appointing a capable Nigerian ambassador to the U.S. to strengthen diplomatic engagement.
Reviving a bipartisan U.S. Congressional Caucus on Nigeria.
She emphasized that Nigeria’s insecurity stems from governance failures, historical grievances, social tensions, and communal conflicts, rather than a single religious narrative. Onubogu warned that unilateral U.S. military intervention could worsen divisions and endanger Christians, the very group such action aims to protect.
Onubogu also noted that Nigeria’s ongoing violence involves a mix of religious extremism, banditry, criminality, resource competition, and separatist agitation, and cautioned that oversimplifying the situation undermines effective solutions.
She stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of insecurity while avoiding reactive, quick-fix measures that could exacerbate the situation ahead of the 2027 elections.
