The State and the Military: Perspectives on Nigeria-USA Military Cooperation

Aja Akpuru-Aja
Dr Aja Akpuru-Aja is Senior Lecturer of International Relations and Strategic Studies and Head, Department of Government and Public Administration, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria. His research interests include Policy… Continue reading The State and the Military: Perspectives on Nigeria-USA Military Cooperation read more
Volume:27
Issue:2
Articles

The official position of USA and Nigeria in favour of military cooperation rather than a military pact does not necessarily demean its value in defence and strategic thinking. The withdrawal of military assistance to Nigeria on March 23, 2003 should be seen as a strong protest against Nigerian reservations on the US-led war on Iraq rather than a complete end to it.
Though military cooperation will strengthen capacity building and influence of Nigeria in military affairs, Nigeria needs to probe beyond appearances to ensure a new thinking for enriching the strategic value of military cooperation.