Nigeria's Security Interest in the Gulf of Guinea : A Response to the US. AFRICOM Project

THE Gulf of Guinea is an enclave of growing economic, social, political and geostrategic importance. It is also an enclave of overwhelming poverty, disease, chronic instability and prone to terrorist incursion. The establishment of a new combatant force (AFRICOM) for the region (GULF OF GUINEA) and Africa in general by the United States of America marks an important milestone in the evolution of relations between the U.S and the government of the Gulf region. Through AFRICOM, the United States Department of Defense will consolidate the efforts of other existing Commands and headquarters as it seek a more stable environment for political and economic growth in the Gulf of Guinea. In line with such goals, AFRICOM would be pioneering a bold method of military engagement focused on war prevention, interagency cooperation, and development rather than on traditional war fighting. It is in such view that this study is carried out to assess Nigeria's security interest in the Gulf of Guinea owing to her supposed leadership position in the region.