By Ghazali Ibrahim
A lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Lagos State University (LASU), Dr. Samson Oyefolu, has called for stronger African-led military alliances and cooperation as a pathway to achieving continental peace, stability, and independence from foreign influence.
Dr. Oyefolu made the call on Monday while delivering a lecture titled “Military Alliance and Cooperation: African Experience and Perspective” at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management (NACOLM), Ojoo, Lagos.
The lecture was part of a capacity-building programme for senior military officers.
He noted that the evolution of military alliances is a direct response to the dynamic nature of international relations, global security threats, and ecological challenges.
According to him, such cooperation must focus on interoperability across key areas including communication, transportation, training, technology, and logistics.
Placing the African experience in context, Dr. Oyefolu highlighted regional and continental initiatives such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), describing them as critical frameworks for promoting peace and stability.
He also commended the creation of the African Standby Force and the emergence of regional forces like those under ECOWAS and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as milestones in African security collaboration.
Referencing recent developments, the LASU scholar cited the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) by Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in 2023 as a notable example of countries seeking alternative regional defense arrangements in response to political and economic sanctions.
He further underscored the influence of regional powers such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt in driving military cooperation through leadership, mediation, and capacity building.
While lauding existing efforts, Dr. Oyefolu identified governance weaknesses, lack of trust, limited funding, and economic constraints as persistent obstacles to effective military collaboration across the continent.
He concluded by urging African nations to prioritize indigenous capacity development and unity, echoing the Pan-African vision of Kwame Nkrumah for a “United Africa” capable of ensuring its own security without overreliance on external powers.
