The Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, has stressed that the United States is currently navigating a complex balance between great-power competition and its long-standing commitments to counterterrorism, maritime security, and democratic governance, particularly across Africa and the Global South.
He made this known during a high-level roundtable convened by the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies (CSRS), NDC, titled “United States Strategic Repositioning from Selected Global Institutions: Implications for Multilateral Cooperation, Security Partnerships, and Climate Governance.”
The one-day forum, held at the CSRS on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, brought together senior representatives from Nigeria’s security and foreign policy community. Participants included officials from the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Office of the National Security Adviser, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, intelligence and emergency management institutions, private sector policy actors, and international partners.
In his opening address, Rear Admiral Ahmed explained that the roundtable was prompted by the evolving contours of US global engagement. According to him, recent shifts in US defence posture, renewed emphasis on alliance systems, and intensifying competition among emerging geopolitical blocs have significant implications for global and regional stability.
He noted that America’s foreign policy recalibration could either strengthen or strain multilateral institutions, depending on how future partnerships are structured.
The Commandant identified key areas requiring sustained attention, including transnational threats such as terrorism, cybercrime, and irregular migration. He also highlighted the need for structural reforms, greater burden-sharing, and institutional adjustments within collective security arrangements. In addition, he stressed the importance of integrating climate governance and environmental stability into broader security discussions.
Rear Admiral Ahmed further underscored the importance of deepening Nigeria–United States relations, particularly in addressing security challenges in Africa. He said the discussions focused on the implications of US strategic repositioning for Africa’s security architecture, especially amid ongoing instability in the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea.
He advocated enhanced cooperation in intelligence sharing, advanced training, and capacity building, noting that Nigeria, as a leading regional actor, plays a pivotal role in shaping West Africa’s security response.
The Commandant also emphasised the importance of African-led solutions supported by external partnerships that respect sovereignty and mutual interests.
Earlier, the Provost of CSRS, Professor A.O. Ahmed, welcomed participants and highlighted the urgency of critically examining US policies that directly impact Nigeria’s national security. He expressed optimism that the deliberations would generate actionable insights to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and the United States.
The roundtable, he added, serves as a timely reflection on the future of multilateral cooperation within an increasingly complex and fragmented international system.
