Designing a Cross-Border Security Cooperation Model: Nigeria's Foreign Policy Response to Regional Terrorism

Nigeria’s geopolitical position and leadership role in West Africa make it a central actor in addressing the growing threat of regional terrorism, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel regions. The persistence of groups such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and other transnational insurgent networks underscores the urgent need for a coordinated and sustainable security architecture. This review examines Nigeria’s foreign policy response to regional terrorism, highlighting the evolution of its strategic engagement through frameworks such as the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), ECOWAS security mechanisms, and bilateral defense accords with neighboring states. It analyzes the interplay between national security objectives and regional diplomatic commitments, emphasizing the balance between sovereignty and collective action. By synthesizing existing literature and policy analyses, the paper identifies institutional, operational, and political constraints undermining effective cooperation. Furthermore, it proposes a cross-border security cooperation model grounded in intelligence-sharing, capacity building, and multilateral diplomacy. The model integrates regional ownership with global partnerships, aligning Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16. Ultimately, the study argues that reimagining Nigeria’s foreign policy to prioritize adaptive, data-driven, and collaborative security mechanisms is essential for achieving long-term regional stability and counterterrorism resilience.