Funding challenges are putting pressure on the Multinational Joint Task Force’s counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad region, with Nigeria carrying a significant share of the financial and operational burden.

• CAN seeks action over 78 Borno pupils still in captivity after 100 days
• Nigeria bears 72% of regional displacement burden
• $209m disbursed by FG over six years, EU commits €234.4m in 10 years
• 80% rise in security incidents recorded in two years
• Olukoju: Nigeria must protect its security interests
• Adamu seeks coordinated regional funding for MNJTF

As Nigeria grapples with 17 years of insurgency, the country is bearing a significant share of the financial and logistical burden of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). This is as persistent funding and capability gaps threaten efforts to contain the onslaught of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) across the Lake Chad Basin, the terrorists’ theatre of war.

The MNJTF, comprising Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin, was established as a regional response to the Boko Haram insurgency and later expanded its focus as ISWAP emerged as a major threat in the region. The concern comes as the MNJTF and its partners continue to identify gaps in equipment, logistics and operational support.

Despite various kinetic and non-kinetic operations by the military to contain the insurgency threats, including a reported ceasefire between the government and insurgents, attacks have continued unabated.

Yesterday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, urged the Federal Government, the state government and security agencies to step up efforts to rescue 78 schoolchildren and other victims who have remained in captivity for more than 100 days. The state CAN Chairman, Most Reverend John Bakeni, appealed during a prayer session held in Maiduguri as part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the association.

Bakeni said the security situation in Borno had made it difficult for the Christian community to celebrate the milestone with the usual festivities, noting that many residents were still grappling with insecurity and economic hardship. Bakeni said the prayer session was specifically organised to seek divine intervention on behalf of the country, Borno State and those being held captive.

Bakeni said the prolonged captivity of the children had placed an enormous emotional burden on their families, urging authorities to consider the ordeal from the perspective of the affected parents.

“These kids have spent over 100 days in captivity. You can imagine what their parents are going through, and the pain, agony, trauma that these people (victims) are going through. And you know, the best way to feel this thing is to put yourself in the shoes of any of these parents. If your child is in captivity, what will you do? Therefore, while we pray for them, we also encourage them,” he said.

The victims include 42 students and pupils who were abducted on May 16 after suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. Another 36 students and a teacher were reportedly abducted on June 29 when suspected Boko Haram terrorists invaded Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, also in Askira/Uba Local Government Area. The two incidents brought the number of abducted students and pupils to 78.

THE funding challenge of military operations has put the sustainability of the MNJTF regional force under scrutiny, with Defence Minister Christopher Musa calling for greater African ownership of the financing and sustenance of regional security mechanisms amid continued reliance on support from international partners. Musa raised the issue last week during a high-level discussion organised by the Ministry of Defence on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York.

The defence minister said that while regional mechanisms such as the MNJTF had received support from international partners, including the European Union, African member states needed to increasingly finance and sustain their own security frameworks. He argued that countries benefiting directly from regional security arrangements must increasingly take responsibility for sustaining them.

At its 18th Joint Steering Committee meeting in N’Djamena, Chad, on September 7 and 8, the force reviewed its requirements and support mechanisms, with communications systems, counter-drone technology, electronic warfare and counter-IED capabilities listed among its operational needs

The Guardian gathered that Nigeria has continued to shoulder a significant portion of the financial, troop and logistical burden of the regional force, with the imbalance raising concerns about the sustainability of the arrangement.

Records from the Lake Chad Basin Commission showed that Nigeria directly disbursed about $209.08 million to the MNJTF between 2015 and 2021. But the current consolidated financial contribution of each of the troop-contributing countries, however, remains unclear.

A senior defence official told The Guardian on Sunday that the situation had persisted partly because Nigeria contributes a significant proportion of the troops and equipment deployed under the MNJTF. The official said the funding gap could remain a challenge if other countries in the Lake Chad Basin do not increase their financial and operational contributions to the joint campaign.

According to the source, while Nigeria has the strongest interest in sustaining operations because it bears the brunt of the insurgency, a more sustainable arrangement would require greater commitment from all the participating countries. Indeed, Nigeria’s contribution has also come alongside substantial international assistance to the regional force.

The European Union, the largest external contributor to the MNJTF, said its support had reached €234.4 million to date, covering areas including operational and logistical support, mobility, medical services, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, infrastructure and equipment.

The United Kingdom has also mobilised £5 million through the African Union Commission, while the African Union in May 2026 provided $1 million from its Peace Fund Crisis Reserve Facility. The EU has also provided training and equipment for counter-IED and anti-drone operations, while its recent support included drones, anti-drone systems, boats and the refurbishment of a nautical base.