Nigeria and the countries of the Sahel are facing an increasingly complex security situation, with growing differences in how governments respond to armed groups, terrorism and regional instability.
Nigeria remains a key security power in West Africa and continues to cooperate with regional and international partners in its fight against armed groups. However, countries in the central Sahel, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, have increasingly pursued different security and foreign-policy approaches.
The withdrawal of these countries from some regional security arrangements and their reduced cooperation with Western powers have created new challenges for regional coordination. At the same time, armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State have continued to operate across parts of the Sahel, taking advantage of weak state presence and porous borders.
Nigeria is particularly concerned about instability spreading southward from the Sahel. The country's long and porous borders with Niger and other neighbouring states make cross-border movement by armed groups, weapons and criminal networks a significant security concern.
The growing divide could make it harder for West African countries to coordinate their response to terrorism and organised crime. Security experts warn that stronger intelligence-sharing, border cooperation and diplomatic engagement will be essential if Nigeria and its neighbours are to prevent the Sahel's insecurity from spreading further south.