Recent Military Supplies To Nigeria By The United States: I am Vindicated On My Commendation Of Tinubu,Ribadu, And Tuggar – Bishop C. Johnson – SIXT-MEDIA LANE
By Bishop C. Johnson
In my previous commentary, “Nigeria, Trump’s Rhetoric, and the Power of Strategic Restraint: Why Tinubu, Ribadu and Tuggar Deserve Commendation,” I argued that Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, guided by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, had masterfully navigated a precarious diplomatic landscape with the United States under President Donald Trump. By eschewing reactive bravado in favor of quiet, professional diplomacy, they avoided escalating tensions that could have mirrored the dramatic downfall of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro—captured in a bold U.S. operation on January 3, 2026, and extradited to face charges in Manhattan.
At the time, critics dismissed my praise as premature or overly optimistic. And some voices championed loud defenses of sovereignty and international law, seemingly oblivious to the realities of power asymmetry. As I noted then, arguing legalities with a Trump administration—bolstered by figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, an Ivy League-trained lawyer and seasoned senator with deep foreign policy expertise—is futile. The Americans know the rules better than most people do; they simply bend or break them when they feel national interests demand it and it suits both geopolitics and their local politics. Nigeria’s inherited security challenges, from Islamist insurgencies in the northeast to banditry and kidnappings in the northwest, required not confrontation but collaboration. The Tinubu administration wisely acknowledged these issues, outlined the concrete steps taken since assuming office two years ago, highlighted ongoing challenges, and sought targeted U.S. assistance.
Recent developments have unequivocally vindicated this approach. On January 13, 2026, the United States delivered “critical military supplies” to Nigerian forces in Abuja, as announced by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). This shipment, handed over to Nigerian partners, is designed to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations and underscores a strengthened security partnership between the two nations. Coming just weeks after U.S.-led strikes on Islamic State-linked militants in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day 2025—which Nigeria framed as a “joint” effort—the delivery signals a shift from rhetorical friction to tangible cooperation.
The path to this outcome was paved by the very restraint I commended. Rather than engaging in public debates over sovereignty, the administration employed tactful channels. Ribadu, leveraging his operational acumen, even enlisted a U.S. lobbying firm, DCI Group, in mid-December 2025, to communicate Nigeria’s efforts in protecting Christian communities and countering jihadist threats—directly addressing Trump’s earlier accusations of “Christian persecution. Tuggar’s steady diplomacy ensured messages were clear and disciplined, keeping red lines intact without provocation. Tinubu’s overarching leadership focused on results: acknowledging inherited insecurities from the prior administration, detailing reforms like enhanced military deployments and intelligence sharing, and inviting U.S. expertise to tackle persistent challenges.
The result? Military cooperation has accelerated into high gear. The supplies—though details remain classified—bolster Nigeria’s fight against ISWAP, Boko Haram remnants, and bandit groups, enhancing operational capabilities without compromising sovereignty. This is no capitulation; it’s strategic realism yielding dividends. Had Nigeria opted for the noisy posturing advocated by some, we might have faced isolation or worse—escalatory actions akin to those in Venezuela, where U.S. forces acted decisively despite international outcry.
Instead, by heeding the counsel of prudence, the Tinubu administration has transformed potential catastrophe into partnership. Trump’s threats of unilateral strikes have evolved into collaborative support, with Nigeria leading future operations backed by U.S. intelligence. This vindicates my earlier commendation: restraint is strength, diplomacy is power, and results silence critics.
Nigeria’s leaders have shown that in dealing with a superpower, wisdom prevails over volume. As we move forward, this model of engagement should guide our foreign policy—securing aid, preserving dignity, and prioritizing the safety of our people.
Capt. Bishop C. Johnson, US Army (rtd), is a national defense and military strategist, and a political commentator.
About The Author
