A renewed spotlight has been cast on the 2021 warning issued by former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, in which he urged the Federal Government to deepen defence and intelligence cooperation with global partners to tackle emerging security threats.
The caution—initially delivered during policy engagements ahead of the 2023 elections—has resurfaced following a recent advisory from the United States government alerting Nigeria to heightened terrorism risks and the need for stronger counter-terrorism frameworks.
Hashim had warned that Nigeria’s security architecture required urgent modernization, arguing that “no nation can successfully combat transnational threats in isolation.” He advocated enhanced partnerships with the U.S., U.K., France, and neighbouring African states, alongside a coordinated modernization of the armed forces.
The latest U.S. advisory, which highlights potential threats across parts of Nigeria, has triggered fresh debate among security analysts and policymakers, many of whom say the concerns reflect the same vulnerabilities Hashim flagged four years ago.
Observers note that the resurfacing of Hashim’s earlier position underscores growing consensus on the need for Nigeria to adopt more robust intelligence-sharing arrangements, improve border surveillance, and expand joint operations with international allies.
While the Federal Government has yet to issue a detailed response to the U.S. alert, defence officials say ongoing reforms are being strengthened to address evolving threats.
Security analysts, however, insist that the moment calls for urgent, coordinated action. Many argue that Nigeria can no longer afford to overlook long-standing recommendations—such as those championed by Hashim—on comprehensive defence cooperation.
