Senator Olawepo-Hashim called on Monday for a coordinated regional security framework to combat insurgency across northern Nigeria, warning that armed groupspose an escalating threat to economic stability and investor confidence in Africa's largest economy.
Call for Cross-Border Coalition
The senator from Oyo State urged neighbours including Niger, Chad, and Cameroon to share intelligence and military resources, framing insurgency as a transnational problem that demands transnational solutions. His appeal came during an interview on Channels Television on Monday.
"No single nation can contain this alone," Olawepo-Hashim stated. "We need structured cooperation, not ad hoc responses." He proposed joint border patrols, coordinated intelligence operations, and a shared command framework modelled on existing Lake Chad Basin Commission efforts.
Economic Cost of Insecurity
The economic toll of prolonged insurgency in Nigeria's northeast has been staggering. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group estimated cumulative losses at $2.1 billion since 2013, with agricultural output in affected regions dropping by an estimated 40 percent. Foreign direct investment inflows to the northeast declined by 35 percent between 2018 and 2023.
Businesses operating in or near conflict zones face regular supply chain disruptions, increased insurance premiums, and forced relocation of operations. For South African companies with exposure to Nigerian markets, instability in the north raises broader concerns about regional economic integration initiatives.
Impact on Regional Trade
The African Continental Free Trade Area agreement depends on stable corridors. Trade analysts note that insecurity along northern routes directly affects cross-border commerce with Niger and Chad, complicating plans to boost intra-African trade. Logistics firms have rerouted shipments through Lagos and the southwest, increasing costs by an estimated 18 percent for affected supply chains.
International Dimensions
Beyond the immediate neighbourhood, Olawepo-Hashim appealed for greater support from Western powers and multilateral institutions. He called on the United States, United Kingdom, and France to expand intelligence-sharing agreements and provide advanced surveillance equipment to Nigerian forces.
The United Nations Office for West Africa has previously supported regional counter-terrorism frameworks, though implementation remains uneven. Sources close to the National Assembly indicated that a new bill proposing enhanced international security partnerships may reach the Senate floor by April.
Domestic Political Calculations
Olawepo-Hashim's public campaign arrives amid mounting pressure on the administration of President Bola Tinubu, whose government has struggled to contain escalating attacks in Katsina, Sokoto, and Borno states. Local media reported at least 12 significant incidents in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
The senator positioned his proposal as both a security imperative and an economic priority. "Investors will not commit capital to a country they perceive as unstable," he said. "Resolving the insurgency question is inseparable from Nigeria's economic future."
Neighbouring Countries Respond
Chad's foreign ministry issued a statement acknowledging the need for increased cooperation. Niger's interim government, which has its own security challenges along the Mali border, indicated willingness to explore joint operations without committing to specific timelines.
Regional bloc ECOWAS has maintained observer status on counter-insurgency efforts but has not proposed direct military involvement. Analysts suggest that any strengthened framework would require significant diplomatic groundwork before practical deployment.
What Happens Next
Stakeholders should monitor three developments. First, the Senate's foreign affairs committee is scheduled to hold public hearings on international security cooperation by late March. Second, a planned summit in Abuja between Lake Chad Basin leaders in May could formalize or reject the proposed coalition. Third, donor nations including the United States are reviewing Nigeria's request for additional unmanned aerial systems, with a decision expected before the second quarter ends.
The stakes extend beyond Nigeria. Instability in Africa's most populous nation reverberates across the continent's trade networks, commodity markets, and financial flows. Investors and business leaders should watch whether regional leaders move beyond rhetoric toward binding commitments.
Analysts suggest that any strengthened framework would require significant diplomatic groundwork before practical deployment.What Happens NextStakeholders should monitor three developments. Local media reported at least 12 significant incidents in the first quarter of 2025 alone.The senator positioned his proposal as both a security imperative and an economic priority.
