Rising Insecurity: Jega, Nine Eminent Nigerians ask FG to Appoint Special Envoy for Sahel

Eminent Nigerian figures, including former INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega, have urged the Federal Government to appoint a Special Envoy for the Sahel region, citing the escalating instability there as a significant driver of Nigeria’s internal security challenges. This call underscores the transnational nature of contemporary security threats and highlights the imperative for a more focused and proactive diplomatic engagement. The proposed appointment, rooted in the President's constitutional prerogative to conduct foreign policy and appoint special advisers, aims to enhance regional coordination, intelligence sharing, and strategic responses to terrorism, banditry, and other forms of organised crime emanating from the Sahel. This article examines the legal and policy frameworks supporting such an initiative and its potential implications for Nigeria’s national security and foreign relations.

Nigeria faces persistent and evolving security challenges, many of which are increasingly understood to be inextricably linked to the volatile geopolitical landscape of the broader Sahel region. A recent call by eminent Nigerians, including former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Attahiru Jega, for the Federal Government to appoint a Special Envoy for the Sahel, brings this critical nexus into sharp focus. The proponents argue that the instability plaguing the Sahel directly fuels Nigeria’s internal security crises, necessitating a dedicated diplomatic and strategic approach. This proposition is not merely a policy suggestion but a recognition of the complex interplay between foreign policy, regional security, and domestic stability.

Nigeria's foreign policy objectives, as enshrined in Section 19 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), prioritise the promotion and protection of national interest, African integration, support for African unity, international cooperation, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. These objectives are operationalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is tasked with formulating, implementing, and coordinating the country's foreign policy and international engagements. The President, as the chief diplomat, holds the constitutional authority to manage foreign affairs and appoint individuals to assist in these functions, including Special Advisers, whose numbers and remuneration are prescribed by law or National Assembly resolution.

Domestically, Nigeria's national security architecture is governed by instruments such as the National Security Agencies Act (Cap. N74, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004), which established the Defence Intelligence Agency, National Intelligence Agency, and State Security Service to address various aspects of national security, both within and outside Nigeria. Furthermore, the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 provides a comprehensive legal framework for combating terrorism, including provisions for extraterritorial application and the establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Centre. The National Security Strategy of Nigeria also acknowledges that the nation's security environment is complex, with challenges that are both peculiar to the country and transnational in nature, necessitating multi-sectoral, domestic, and international approaches.

The call for a Special Envoy for the Sahel aligns with Nigeria's constitutional foreign policy objectives and its national security imperatives. Section 19 of the 1999 Constitution mandates the promotion of African integration and support for African unity, which inherently requires active engagement with neighbouring regions like the Sahel. The President's power to appoint a Special Envoy can be derived from Section 151 of the Constitution, which allows for the appointment of Special Advisers to assist the President in the performance of functions. While not explicitly termed an 'envoy,' such an appointment falls within the executive's prerogative to conduct foreign policy and manage diplomatic relations, with envoys acting as direct representatives of the President.

The instability in the Sahel, characterised by the proliferation of violent extremist organisations like Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), weak governance, illicit trafficking, and climate change impacts, directly threatens Nigeria's security. The Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, with its focus on preventing and combating acts of terrorism and its financing, implicitly supports the need for cross-border cooperation, as terrorist activities often transcend national boundaries. A Special Envoy could facilitate the implementation of the Act's extraterritorial provisions by fostering intelligence sharing and coordinated operations with Sahelian states.

Regionally, Nigeria is a signatory to the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993, which aims to promote cooperation and integration, including the establishment of a regional peace and security observation system and peacekeeping forces. Similarly, Nigeria is a party to the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, which serves as a collective security and early warning arrangement for conflict prevention, management, and resolution, and to ensure the implementation of conventions to combat international terrorism. A Special Envoy would be instrumental in strengthening Nigeria's engagement with these regional mechanisms, ensuring that Nigeria's national interests are effectively represented and that collective security initiatives are pursued with renewed vigour. The current challenges of coordination among Sahel states, as noted in the EU's strategy for the region, highlight the need for a dedicated high-level representative to bridge diplomatic gaps and foster coherent regional responses.

However, the effectiveness of such an appointment would depend on several factors, including the clarity of the envoy's mandate, adequate resourcing, and the political will of both Nigeria and the Sahelian states to cooperate. While the legal framework provides the basis for the appointment, the practical impact will hinge on the envoy's ability to navigate complex regional politics, build trust, and translate diplomatic efforts into tangible security outcomes. The National Assembly's role in prescribing the remuneration and allowances of such an adviser, as per Section 151(2) of the Constitution, also provides an avenue for legislative oversight and support for this critical foreign policy initiative.

The call for a Special Envoy for the Sahel is a timely and strategically sound proposition, reflecting a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of regional and national security. Such an appointment, firmly grounded in Nigeria's constitutional provisions for foreign policy and presidential powers, would provide a dedicated, high-level diplomatic channel to address the multifaceted security challenges emanating from the Sahel. For legal practitioners, this development signals an increasing need for expertise in international law, regional security protocols, and cross-border cooperation mechanisms, particularly concerning counter-terrorism and transnational organised crime.

Moving forward, the Nigerian government's response to this call will be a critical indicator of its commitment to proactive regional diplomacy. Should an envoy be appointed, legal professionals may be involved in advising on the scope of their mandate, international agreements, and the legal implications of proposed security interventions. The success of such an initiative will ultimately depend on sustained political will, robust diplomatic strategy, and effective coordination with regional and international partners to foster stability in the Sahel, thereby safeguarding Nigeria's national security interests.