Senator Jimoh Ibrahim has made a compelling case that the concept of absolute national sovereignty is obsolete in the modern world, advocating instead for robust international cooperation to tackle security challenges.
Defending Tinubu's International Security Strategy
The senator representing Ondo South, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, issued a press statement on Saturday, December 28, 2025, from Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. In it, he strongly defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's approach to combating Nigeria's insecurity, which heavily relies on forging international partnerships.
Ibrahim, who is also an ambassador-designate and a scholar of modern war studies, argued that no country in today's global system operates with complete sovereignty. He emphasized that contemporary threats are too complex for any nation to handle alone.
The 9/11 Example: A Lesson in Collective Security
To bolster his argument, Ibrahim pointed to a powerful historical precedent: the United States' response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He noted that despite America's unparalleled military and economic might at the time, its Operation Enduring Freedom was fundamentally a multinational effort.
"Even the most powerful nation required collective support to restore security after 9/11," Ibrahim stated. The operation depended on critical allied support from nations including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, and others like Italy, Poland, Russia, and New Zealand.
This collaboration involved:
- Deployment of joint troops and military aircraft.
- Coordination of naval assets.
- Extensive intelligence sharing.
- Unified actions to dismantle terrorist networks.
Borderless Threats Require Shared Solutions
Ibrahim stressed that the nature of modern insecurity makes isolation an impossible strategy. "Insecurity today is borderless," he declared. "Terrorist networks, cyber intrusions, and even pandemics do not respect national boundaries."
He posed a rhetorical question: if absolute sovereignty were feasible, wouldn't countries be able to single-handedly block global cyber threats or prevent diseases like COVID-19 from crossing their borders? The reality, he concluded, proves otherwise.
He dismissed fears that such international security partnerships could undermine Nigeria's independence. On the contrary, strategic alliances strengthen a nation's capacity to protect its citizens. President Tinubu's international engagement, he asserted, aligns with standard global democratic practice and is not a compromise of sovereignty.
"Sovereignty in this era is preserved through strategic alliances and shared responsibility," Ibrahim affirmed. "Isolation is no longer a viable option." He urged critics to allow the Tinubu administration the necessary diplomatic and operational space to implement its security strategies effectively.
