USIP Official Urges Tinubu to Appoint Ambassador to Washington, Strengthen Security Reforms
A senior programme officer with the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Oge Onubogu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently appoint a Nigerian ambassador to the United States to enhance diplomatic engagement and counter what she described as misleading narratives about the country’s security situation.
Speaking during deliberations in the U.S. Congress on Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), Onubogu said improved representation in Washington was crucial for managing international perceptions and strengthening bilateral ties.
“It is critical for President Tinubu to appoint a capable Nigerian ambassador to the U.S., as also recommended in my testimonies in March,” she said.
Onubogu stressed the need for the Nigerian government to prioritise accountability, noting that years of unresolved mass killings—particularly in the Middle Belt—had fuelled claims of genocide. “Nigerian citizens need justice, as criminality in the Middle Belt has increased due to impunity. The narrative of genocide has gained traction because years of mass killings without accountability have left many faith communities abandoned,” she added.
She further urged the government to accelerate police reforms, pointing out that the country’s centralised police structure was inadequate for its complex security challenges. According to her, the federal police force is overstretched, with many officers performing duties better suited for specialised units.
“Tinubu’s administration needs to accelerate initiatives to improve citizens’ security, including the recruitment of the 30,000 new police personnel he approved in June,” she said. She also questioned the use of officers as personal security aides for wealthy individuals instead of focusing on major crimes.
Onubogu highlighted the long-standing coordination gaps between federal and state governments, saying these weaknesses undermine security efforts. “Effective coordination is desperately needed and often undermined by finger-pointing, which must stop,” she said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, she urged the government to strengthen the electoral process and address the role of religion in sparking violence. She said the new leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offered an opportunity to rebuild public trust and promote responsible political conduct.
She cautioned against framing Nigeria’s violence solely in religious terms, arguing that such an approach hampers efforts to tackle the country’s multilayered security crises.
Calling for renewed engagement between Abuja and Washington, Onubogu said Nigeria must confront institutional weaknesses in security, justice, and conflict prevention, while the United States should foster open dialogue to better understand the country’s complexities.
“Both countries should leverage current diplomatic tensions to strengthen their bilateral relationship and collaboratively address the wider threats of jihadist violence in Nigeria and the surrounding West Africa and Sahara region, as both nations have vital interests,” she said.
