NIGERIA: THE UNBREAKABLE GIANT RISING THROUGH STORMS

By Tukur Buratai

In a world quick to predict national failure, few countries have endured more scrutiny than Nigeria. From think-tank forecasts to global risk assessments, the country is often portrayed as teetering on the edge. Yet, beneath these narratives lies a deeper truth—Nigeria’s extraordinary resilience.

In a recent reflection posted on his Facebook page, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.), argues that the idea of Nigeria as a potential failed state is not only inaccurate but a fundamental misunderstanding of its history and its destiny. For Buratai, Nigeria is not crumbling—it is rising.

A Nation Shaped by Giants

Buratai begins by invoking the spirit of Nigeria’s founding fathers—Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo—leaders whose vision helped carve a nation out of colonial rule. Their legacy, he notes, created a foundation that no crisis has ever completely shaken.

From post-independence turbulence to military incursion and back to democracy, Nigeria has repeatedly pulled back from the brink. Military leaders like Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Gen. Murtala Mohammed steered the country through nation-defining moments, while Chief Olusegun Obasanjo twice restored political stability—first in 1979 and again in 1999.

Today, Buratai observes, Nigeria is seeing the rise of a new generation of leaders—young, connected, innovative, and more accountable to citizens who are vocal and increasingly conscious of their power. Their commitment to unity and national progress, he insists, makes the idea of a collapsing Nigeria “inconceivable.”

Economy: Hardship, Yes — but Also Immense Opportunity

Buratai acknowledges the economic turbulence facing the nation, but he cautions against interpreting temporary difficulty as long-term decline. Since independence, Nigeria has transformed from a primarily agrarian society to Africa’s largest economy.

He highlights several underutilized strengths:

Human capital—a youthful population and a highly skilled diaspora

Agricultural capacity—enough arable land to feed West Africa

Solid mineral wealth—from gold to lithium and iron ore

Renewable energy potential—sunlight strong enough to power industries

Creative and digital innovation—Nollywood, Afrobeats, and a booming tech sector

For Buratai, these assets guarantee that Nigeria’s economic future remains bright. The ongoing diversification away from oil, though slow and painful, is laying the groundwork for a knowledge-driven and resilient economy.

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Security and Infrastructure: A Nation in Transition

Nigeria’s security challenges—Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry, and separatist agitations—remain a national concern. But Buratai argues that these struggles represent a phase of renewal, not collapse.

He notes that Boko Haram, once feared for its territorial control, has been significantly degraded from its peak in 2014–2015 due to years of tactical and strategic adjustments. The armed forces, he insists, are more retooled and revitalized than many acknowledge.

On infrastructure, Buratai highlights what he calls “quiet revolutions”—railway revival projects, major road expansions, airport modernization programs, and the massive Dangote Refinery, now the largest single-train refinery on earth. These developments, he suggests, point to a nation investing aggressively in its long-term foundations.

The Real Strength: The Nigerian Spirit

Beyond institutions, policies, and economics, Buratai identifies the Nigerian people as the country’s most powerful engine of survival.

He recounts moments that tested the nation’s soul:

The civil war of 1967–1970

Structural Adjustment hardships of the 1980s

Pro-democracy struggles that ended military rule

The #EndSARS youth movement demanding transparency

And today’s economic trials

Despite everything, Nigerians continue to innovate, hustle, survive, and support one another through communal systems like esusu and grassroots solidarity.

“This social capital,” Buratai writes, “is the bedrock upon which the nation’s future is secured.”

A Message to the West: Stop Predicting Collapse—Start Building Partnerships

Buratai’s feature sharply criticizes international observers who constantly forecast Nigeria’s doom. He warns that such narratives distract from the opportunities Nigeria presents and risk undermining global cooperation.

He calls for:

1. Technology Transfer—especially in green energy and digital infrastructure

2. Investment, Not Aid—to unlock Nigeria’s private sector potential

3. Collaborative Security—rooted in respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty

The West, he argues, must stop preparing for Nigeria’s collapse and start preparing for Nigeria’s rise.

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Recommendations for a Stronger Nigeria and a Stronger Africa

Buratai outlines a three-level plan:

For Nigeria

Forge a new patriotism focused on merit and national service

Deepen economic diversification with targeted investment funds

Expand community-based security under national coordination

For Developed Nations

Shift to partnership-based engagement

Reform global financial institutions

Elevate Nigerian creativity and innovation on global platforms

For Africa

Strengthen AfCFTA to build continental self-reliance

Share security and anti-corruption practices

Assert collective power in global negotiations

Conclusion: A Nation Destined to Rise

Buratai concludes with conviction: Nigeria will not fail—not now, not ever.

“Our current trials,” he writes, “are the furnace in which a stronger, more united, and self-reliant nation is being forged.”

For him, the world must begin to see Nigeria not as a volatile experiment but as a rising global force whose trajectory is upward.

And in his final words, he echoes a sentiment shared by millions across the country:

“We will not fail. We are rising.”

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Buratai’s Eye for Excellence: How the Former COAS Built a Generation of Military Leaders

In the often demanding and unpredictable world of military command, one of the most valuable qualities a leader can possess is the ability to identify, nurture, and deploy talent. For former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.), this was not just a skill but a hallmark of his leadership—one that continues to shape the Nigerian military landscape years after his service.

During his tenure as COAS, Buratai was widely praised for his strategic foresight, operational discipline, and reforms, but perhaps his most enduring legacy is the rise of officers he trusted with critical assignments. A look back at the July 2019 appointments he made reveals a pattern: he placed capable officers in roles that stretched their capacity, refined their leadership, and prepared them for future national assignments.

One of the key beneficiaries of Buratai’s mentorship culture is Maj.-Gen. C.G. Musa, who at the time moved from the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited to serve as Commander, Sector 3 of Operation Lafiya Dole in Monguno. He would later rise to become the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and is today Nigeria’s Defence Minister–nominee. His elevation underscores Buratai’s remarkable ability to spot potential even in unconventional postings and transform officers into frontline commanders and strategic decision-makers.

Similarly, Brig.-Gen. O.O. Oluyede, who was redeployed from the Amphibious Training School in Calabar to command the 27 Task Force Brigade in Buni Yadi, also rose to prominence under Buratai’s tenure. His subsequent career trajectory—culminating in senior national security responsibilities—demonstrates how Buratai’s appointments were never random; they were deliberate steps in grooming competent officers for higher calling.

Another example is Brig.-Gen. E.A.P. Undiandeye, reassigned from the Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation to become Acting Director, Foreign Liaison, Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA). Today, Undiandeye stands as Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI), a role that blends operational expertise with diplomatic finesse—qualities Buratai clearly saw early on.

These success stories, now visible across Nigeria’s defence architecture, illustrate a deeper truth: Buratai’s leadership was defined not only by battlefield accomplishments but by human capacity development. He understood that the strength of an army lies in the quality of its officers. And so he invested in them—rotating them through critical commands, exposing them to new challenges, and entrusting them with responsibilities that shaped their future careers.

Military analysts often say that true leadership is measured not by what a leader achieves alone, but by the legacy of leaders they leave behind. If this is the yardstick, then Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai has already secured his place in Nigeria’s military history. The officers now occupying some of the highest defence positions in the country stand as living testimonies to his grooming, mentorship, and strategic vision.

As Nigeria continues to navigate complex security challenges, the nation benefits not only from the reforms Buratai implemented but also from the generation of leaders he prepared—leaders who are now shaping the country’s defence strategies at the highest level.

The True Story of How Adesuwa Motors International Made Moves To Settle Aggrieved Customer’s Bad Deal

Ever since the traumatizing, wrongful accusations of the FBI on Adesuwa Ogiozee, it has been hell of a task to resolve numerous backlog transactions the over four years ordeal berthed.

She had since then being in severel financial situations with some of her customers due to the expenses absorbed in legal fees, attorneys, international law enforcers, courts and more; in proving her innocence.

It was her quest and pursuit for the truth that brought a resolve and clarity that ended the ordeal. She was the one that actually assisted the fbi in resolving the situation- by providing resources for international law enforcer to go after the culprit in Africa who was arrested after several trails. The feds then flew down to Nigeria to interrogate and confirm Adesuwa’s side of the story which led to the case dismissal with prejudice.
This has cost her everything including a business she built over a decade and her source of livelihood due to the extensive and unnecessary home confinement that lasted years with a monitoring bracelet. She had since then been battling numerous court cases from customers that the FBI situation affected; Including this particular customer.
It seems her life might never be the same again. As she is currently still suffering from major post trauma issues.

Briggs Egharevba is one of those difficult customers people come across in businesses. contrary to his complaints, this was only a failed business transaction due to the said circumstances.

According to a story on a blog, Egharevba is accusing Adesuwa of 139million naira involving the purchase of a luxury car. He further alleged that months after he initiated payment, no car was shipped to him. But he conveniently skipped the part where over seventy percent of his money has been refunded to him by Adesuwa.

This was simply a case of a delayed transaction occasioned by her ordeal. It is public knowledge that FBI’s improper investigation, wrongful profiling, indictment, extensive confinement, charges are what orchestrated Adesuwa’s ordeal.
Thankfully, she was given a clean bill of health after the International law enforcers stepped in and helped resolve the situation.

Apparently, her ordeal in the hands of the FBI affected the smooth running of her business – resulting in her inability to deliver the car. Adesuwa have since then, made efforts to address the issue by engaging the service of mediators, lawyers and others to help settle the matter but Egharevba was adamant, threatening and insisting on interests, pecentages and dollars even though all his payments were made in Naira. To make matters worse, he consulted an America blog to report a one-sided story.

Contrary to his report, she had started the process of the car acquisition but got stalled due to the FBI brouhaha. According to her, she had even refunded most of Egharevba’s money despite his attempt to stall the settlement process by not providing a Nigerian account as he consistently covers part of his account numbers in all document available.

Adesuwa despite her predicament is working to gradually settle amicably every customer affected by her ordeal. And she is gradually getting back to work, taking things one step at a time.