There are moments in national life when gratitude and concern must be expressed in the same breath.
Today is one of those moments.
Nigeria must openly thank the United States Army and acknowledge the role of American leadership, including President Donald Trump, in shaping a security posture that has consistently recognised Nigeria as a strategic partner rather than a charity case. Security cooperation is not sentimental; it is built on mutual interest, clarity of purpose, and respect for sovereignty. On that score, credit must be given where it is due.
The launch in Abuja of the inaugural U.S. Nigeria Working Group, led by Lt. Gen. John Brennan alongside senior Nigerian leaders, is a welcome and timely development. A framework anchored on coordination, accountability, and joint action against terrorism while protecting the vulnerable is exactly the kind of structured engagement Nigeria has long needed.
What some meant for evil has indeed turned out for good.
From a conceptual and strategic standpoint, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was ready for this job. His understanding of power, alliances, economics, and statecraft did not begin in office. It was formed over decades. The clarity with which Nigeria is now repositioning itself economically and in security cooperation reflects that preparation.
However, leadership is not judged by vision alone. It is judged by execution.
And this is where the sadness creeps in alongside the joy.
The President’s biggest vulnerability is not opposition, nor foreign pressure it is the quality of administration around him. Too many avoidable mistakes. Too many communication failures. Too many self-inflicted wounds that distract from otherwise sound policy directions.
In a country as fragile and as scrutinised as Nigeria, administrative sloppiness is not a small problem. It erodes confidence, confuses allies, and hands ammunition to adversaries who thrive on chaos and misrepresentation.
Security partnerships like the U.S. Nigeria Working Group demand discipline, coherence, and credibility. Our partners will do their part but Nigeria must also show that policy decisions are supported by competent, steady hands all the way down the chain.
Still, it is important to say this clearly: Nigeria is not drifting. The country is being repositioned. The foundations security cooperation, investment confidence, strategic alignment are being laid.
Now comes the harder work: matching vision with administrative excellence.
So today, we say thank you to the U.S. Army, to partners who see Nigeria as worth the effort, and to leadership that understands the moment. And we also issue a quiet warning: history rewards preparation, but it punishes carelessness.
Sadness and joy can coexist. What matters is which one we choose to act on.
Otunba Segun Showunmi
The Alternative.
