Charles Tannock, author. – Madam President, Nigeria is beset by multiple challenges, from geographical sectarian divisions to fighting brutal jihadi terrorism. Given its huge natural oil resources, nearly 200 million in population and strong economic position in Africa, it should be a role model for the rest of the continent. Whilst we are familiar with the tragic kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls, the majority of whom are still missing, we must remind ourselves too of the thousands of others that have been killed and the 1.4 million that have been displaced by Boko Haram, a brutal terrorist organisation, since its inception in 2009.
The campaign against Boko Haram has had some success under President Buhari. However, attacks persist and there is still a lack of understanding about the group’s underlying support base and where it gets its funding from. Corruption remains, of course, one of the biggest challenges for Nigeria, placed 136 out of 175 countries in the Transparency International index. Buhari’s government needs to do far more to investigate and prosecute those guilty of corruption.
None of the challenges facing Nigeria are easy to overcome. We see in our own countries, even with the benefit of much greater resources at our disposal, the difficulties in defeating international terrorism. The EU must therefore continue to extend its offers of support and help, and to share our experience, in conjunction with the African Union, in supporting Nigeria.