Ex-British Army Col. says US-Nigerian military exercises will boost regional stability
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Military collaboration between Nigeria and the United States is key to securing Africa, according to Freddie Grounds, a former British lieutenant colonel with extensive experience training armed forces across the continent.
In a statement, the British ex-military officer described the arrival of US advisers in Nigeria as a timely reminder that Africa remains central to contemporary security debates, with its security challenges deeply intertwined with global stability.
He said the joint military exercises and a structured security partnership between Nigeria and the US will help develop Nigeria’s capacity to respond more effectively to its contemporary security challenges.
Grounds said securing Nigeria is key to securing Africa, noting that terrorism exploits jurisdictional gaps in countries such as Nigeria, which like others in the region, has porous frontiers and vast semi-governed spaces.
He said: “At a time when longstanding alliances are being questioned, the rules-based international order appears increasingly fragile, and conflicts are escalating across multiple regions, the recent Munich Security Conference 2026 occurred at a significant inflexion point.
“As the conference opened, over 100 US military advisers were arriving by air in Nigeria. This contingent was invited by the Nigerian Government to help train and advise the country’s armed forces as they continue to confront security threats from Islamist militants and other armed groups.
“Conversations touching on Africa were largely focused on collapsing development assistance, critical minerals and the ongoing crisis in Sudan. The arrival of US advisers in Nigeria serves as a timely reminder that Africa remains central to contemporary security debates—its security challenges are deeply intertwined with global stability.
“Terrorism, maritime piracy, trafficking networks, cyber threats, and insurgencies operate across borders, exploiting jurisdictional gaps in countries such as Nigeria, which—like other countries in the region—has porous frontiers and vast semi-governed spaces.
“In Nigeria, cooperation with the United States and other international partners is enhancing readiness, reinforcing sovereignty, and contributing to regional stability. Joint military exercises and a structured security partnership are helping develop Nigeria’s capacity to respond more effectively to its contemporary security challenges.
“At their core, joint military exercises with the United States improve interoperability—the ability of different armed forces to operate together efficiently. Interoperability encompasses common operational procedures, shared communications systems, compatible logistics frameworks, and a mutual understanding of doctrine.
“US engagement in Nigeria has primarily focused on advisory roles, training, military exercises, intelligence sharing, and logistical support rather than direct combat operations. This cooperation strategy emphasises Nigerian ownership and operational leadership, with US personnel serving as enablers within a relationship that relies heavily on mutual trust and respect. Training initiatives have included counter-IED procedures, tactical planning, ISR integration, civil-military relations, and maritime security coordination.
“Large-scale training events such as Exercise Obangame Express (West Africa), Exercise Cutlass Express (East Africa) and the African Lion series of exercises—coordinated by United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)—bring African and international militaries together to rehearse security operations, intelligence sharing, logistics coordination, and joint planning. The value of these exercises lies not only in tactical rehearsal but in the integration of human networks and trust built between participating forces—relationships formed in training environments often prove decisive during real-world crises.
“Joint exercises also serve as powerful tools for capacity building. Modern security operations increasingly rely on specialist capabilities such as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), counter-improvised explosive device (IED) expertise, logistics and engineering planning, air mobility coordination, and special operations integration. Training for these specialisms is not about replacing national forces but strengthening them by enhancing their competence and self-sufficiency—creating a cadre of Nigerian expert trainers. Over time, this fosters disciplined and technically proficient organisations that can train their own in these key skills and play a role as leaders in regional security.
“Additionally, cooperation between militaries is a powerful deterrent, sending a robust message to adversaries that states are prepared, coordinated, and supported. A strike against one is a threat to all partners—exercises are a visual reminder to terrorist groups about what they might face.
“Nigeria has a complex and layered security landscape: insurgency in the northeast linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), banditry in the northwest, communal violence in the Middle Belt, and maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea. These threats transcend borders, linking Nigeria’s security to that of Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and the wider region.
“Regional mechanisms such as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)—comprising troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Benin, and previously Niger—highlight the fact that fragmented national responses are insufficient against fluid insurgent networks. International collaboration strongly complements these regional frameworks by enhancing technical capabilities, strengthening intelligence fusion, and extending logistical reach.
“ISR-focused training enhances Nigeria’s ability to identify threats before they escalate. Improved intelligence collection and analysis reduce uncertainty, enable more precise targeting, and—critically—help minimise civilian harm, a key factor in maintaining public trust.
“Despite the benefits, international military collaboration can generate scepticism. Critics often raise concerns about threats to sovereignty, dependency, or sensitivities caused by historic intervention in Africa. Sovereignty concerns are mitigated when host nation governments determine the scope and nature of the foreign military engagement, ensuring boundaries are well established. Dependency risks can be reduced by investing in local capability through knowledge transfer, leadership development and strengthening institutions. Finally, historical sensitivities can be respectfully acknowledged through mutual communication, ensuring previous errors can be avoided.
“Joint military exercises and international security partnerships are a core component in combatting terrorism and insurgent security threats. For Nigeria, collaboration with the United States demonstrates how structured, sovereignty-respecting partnerships enhance national security and foster international collaboration. Beyond Nigeria, this partnership is helping Nigeria’s military fulfil its potential as a leader in the regional efforts to combat the varied security threats West Africa is facing.”
