Leader of a foremost political movement in the country The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s deteriorating security and humanitarian situation following a high-level engagement with a senior United States congressional figure involved in shaping Washington’s policy toward Nigeria.
Showunmi, in an internal reflection note posted on the social media said the United States is approaching Nigeria’s internal crisis with a level of focus that “cannot be overstated.”
“The United States is treating Nigeria’s internal crisis with a level of seriousness that cannot be overstated,” he said. “There is no sense of ambiguity or casual engagement on their side. Their posture is firm, focused, and deeply concerned.”
According to him, the Americans have held wide-ranging consultations in Washington and across Nigeria, speaking with government officials, civil society actors and humanitarian observers. Their findings, he noted, show that the patterns of violence in several regions are raising international alarms.
“Their assessment is straightforward: the situation in parts of Nigeria has escalated beyond normal domestic security concerns. The humanitarian suffering is now visible internationally,” Showunmi disclosed.
He added that violence in Benue, Plateau, Southern Kaduna, the Middle Belt and some moderate Muslim northern communities has drawn heightened scrutiny from foreign partners.
Showunmi said his meeting left him “sober,” noting that while the U.S. is willing to support Nigeria, it expects sincerity, transparency and decisive action.
“They are prepared to provide support, but the underlying message is unmistakable: Nigeria must demonstrate that it is confronting its crisis honestly, not defensively,” he said. “They are not interested in political spin, denial, or internal blame-shifting.”
He warned that the Nigerian presidency risks underestimating the gravity of the situation, stressing that current approaches are insufficient and widening the credibility gap between official statements and lived realities.
“The danger is not American perception,” he cautioned. “It is the risk of Nigeria losing control of its own narrative.”
Showunmi identified fragmented communication, avoidance of responsibility and rising sectarian rhetoric as internal factors worsening Nigeria’s image globally.
He called for an urgent “communication and orientation recalibration” to restore public trust and stabilize Nigeria’s international posture.
“If we lose control of the narrative and the reality on the ground continues to deteriorate, external actors will define the Nigerian situation for us,” he warned.
Despite the worrying signs, Showunmi expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future but emphasized that hope must be matched with action.
“I remain confident in God’s protection over Nigeria. But faith does not replace responsibility. We must act, and we must act with clarity and unity. This moment is more consequential than many realize.”
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