General Muhammadu Buhari GCFR belongs to a rare class of Nigerian leaders who have had the privilege and burden of leading the nation both as a military ruler and as a democratically elected president. Among this elite group, Buhari stands out as one of the luckiest and most impactful, not just for the duality of his leadership tenure, but also for the imprint he left on Nigeria’s foreign policy, particularly in the West African subregion. While his military rule (1983–1985) was marked by authoritarian discipline, it was during his civilian presidency (2015–2023) that Buhari’s foreign policy matured into a blend of realism, strategic patience, and quiet assertiveness.
Nowhere was this more evident than in his handling of Nigeria’s foreign policy within West Africa. The late President Buhari navigated the region’s turbulent politics with tact and a consistent focus on three primary goals: regional security, economic integration, and the promotion of norms under the ECOWAS framework. His diplomatic posture emphasized the consolidation of regional cooperation, particularly in curbing insurgency, tackling smuggling, and promoting infrastructural interdependence.
One of the linchpins of Buhari’s West African foreign policy was the Gulf of Guinea, an economically and geopolitically vital corridor plagued by piracy, oil theft, and maritime crimes. Under Buhari, Nigeria prioritized the Gulf’s security by collaborating with regional navies and international partners to fortify its waters. Operation Delta Safe and the deployment of the Deep Blue Project, a multi-agency maritime security initiative, were central to this effort. These actions helped to reduce piracy incidents, restored confidence in maritime trade, and protected the economic lifeline of not just Nigeria, but the entire coastal region.
Buhari’s presidency saw the revitalization of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) which is a combined military force consisting of troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin. The MNJTF became a critical tool in the battle against Boko Haram and ISWAP. Buhari’s diplomatic efforts ensured that Nigeria remained a central contributor both militarily and financially. His leadership helped to stabilize the Lake Chad Basin, enhance military cooperation, and create an early-warning mechanism that allowed the MNJTF members to act proactively against extremist threats.
Buhari’s decision to close Nigeria’s land borders in 2019 was met with mixed reactions. While it generated diplomatic friction with neighbors like Benin and Niger, it was largely aimed at curbing the rampant smuggling of goods, especially rice, into Nigeria. This policy had a dual purpose: enhancing internal security and stimulating domestic agricultural production. Though controversial, the policy resulted in a significant reduction in smuggled goods and forced neighboring countries to reassess their trade policies with Nigeria. It marked Buhari as a leader willing to take difficult decisions to protect national interests.
Buhari’s proactive diplomacy played a behind-the-scenes role in ensuring stability in Niger during the early days of President Mohamed Bazoum’s administration. Intelligence from Nigerian security operatives alerted ECOWAS to a possible coup attempt. Buhari’s engagement, both through quiet diplomacy and through Nigeria’s leadership in ECOWAS, was critical in nipping the plot in the bud. This move showcased Nigeria’s position as a regional stabilizer and reaffirmed Buhari’s commitment to upholding democratic norms.
In 2016, when then-Gambian President Yahya Jammeh refused to concede defeat after losing the presidential election, Buhari chaired an ECOWAS delegation that successfully negotiated Jammeh’s exit. Rather than rushing into military action, Buhari advocated for patience and strategic pressure, although threatening the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force while keeping the door open for diplomatic resolution. Jammeh eventually fled into exile, and power transitioned peacefully. This stood in stark contrast to the 2023 ECOWAS handling of the Niger coup under Buhari’s successor, where bluster, threats, and lack of restraint led to regional divisions and a stalemate. Buhari’s diplomatic language which was polite, firm, but never incendiary, demonstrated maturity and a deep understanding of regional sensibilities.
Arguably the most ambitious foreign policy initiative of Buhari’s West African engagement was the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) project. Spanning over 5,600 kilometers and cutting across 13 West African countries before exiting through Morocco, the pipeline is projected to cost over $25 billion. More than a mere infrastructure project, it represents a bold vision of economic interdependence. Once completed, it will provide energy access to millions, boost industrialization, and strengthen economic ties across the Atlantic coastline. The two pillars that championed this project as a legacy of pan-African cooperation and a bold move toward economic diplomacy were Buhari and King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
While Buhari’s hardline stance, particularly the border closure, may have strained ties with neighbors like Benin and Niger, it also forced a rethinking of trade and security practices in the region. By pushing for greater adherence to rules, he challenged ECOWAS countries to take regional commitments more seriously. In doing so, Buhari may have disrupted business-as-usual diplomacy, but he laid the foundation for a more rules-based and security-conscious West African regional order.
General Muhammadu Buhari will be remembered not just as a soldier or a president, but as a statesman who understood the delicate balance required in regional leadership. His foreign policy, as president, was guided by restraint when needed, but also by firm resolve when action was necessary. He led with a sense of quiet confidence, never grandstanding, but always clear-eyed about Nigeria’s role as a regional anchor.
Whether through quelling potential coups, championing economic infrastructure, or building multinational security frameworks, Buhari’s presidency redefined Nigeria’s foreign engagement in West Africa. The foreign policy approach when he assumed office and when he left was markedly different not only from that of his predecessor, but also from his successor. He leaves behind a legacy of strategic depth, diplomatic tact, and a steadfast commitment to the peace and prosperity of the subregion.
May Allah (SWT) grant him Al-Jannatul Firdausi, and may his immediate family, the Nigerian nation, and the broader West African community find strength and peace in this time of profound loss.
