THE LAST JIHAD PART 4: Learning from History, Building a United Future
By Dr. Austin Orette
“Know everything about your adversary—not to destroy, but to prevent history from repeating itself.”
In this installment, I had initially intended to explore strategies for responding to violent extremism in Nigeria. However, I believe it’s more important to first understand the historical patterns of radical ideologies and how other nations have dealt with similar crises in the past so we can develop more thoughtful, people-centered solutions today.
A Lesson from History: America and the Barbary Conflicts
In 1801, a young United States found itself threatened by piracy along the North African coast. Merchants were captured at sea, and ransom demands crippled trade. The root of the problem lay in the geopolitical and ideological environment of the Barbary States—modern-day Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia—where local rulers justified piracy under various interpretations of religion and sovereignty.
Thomas Jefferson, then U.S. President, decided that diplomacy had reached its limits. Without a standing navy, he mobilized resources and pushed through the first Barbary Wars, establishing the principle that extortion through violence should never be appeased. This moment, later celebrated by many, highlighted a young nation’s stand against terrorism and its commitment to protecting human dignity and economic freedom.
The key lesson here is not the war itself, but the commitment to long-term solutions: building institutions, protecting citizens, and refusing to reward violence with concessions.
Reflections on Nigeria’s Security Challenges
Nigeria, like many other countries, has faced the challenge of extremism and banditry in recent years. The core issue is not religion or ethnicity—but the weaponization of both by actors seeking to gain political or economic power. It is important to avoid generalizations about any group, especially along ethnic or religious lines, as they only deepen divisions and hinder problem-solving.
One pressing concern is the misuse of religion by fringe actors to justify violence, especially in the northern part of the country. There have been repeated calls for negotiation with armed groups, often framed as a pragmatic approach. However, any strategy must center on justice, rehabilitation, and long-term peace—not appeasement or enabling cycles of impunity.
We must interrogate the structural issues that allow violence to flourish: poverty, lack of education, weak local governance, and the erosion of traditional institutions that once promoted peace and coexistence.
The Role of Religious and Traditional Institutions
It is crucial to distinguish between religion as a personal belief system and its exploitation for political or militant agendas. In Nigeria’s complex religious landscape, leaders of all faiths—Muslim, Christian, and traditional—must stand united in condemning violence, promoting education, and encouraging social integration.
While certain traditional or religious titles have taken on more national relevance in recent decades, it is vital that they are used as platforms for peacebuilding, not political expansionism.
A Path Forward: Unity and Shared Humanity
Some southern Nigerians have expressed concern over perceived political imbalances and growing influence from certain quarters. However, division is not the answer. Unity can be built through inclusive governance, equitable resource distribution, mutual respect, and civic education. The idea is not to “defeat” one group, but to ensure every Nigerian—regardless of background—has a fair stake in the country.
One under-discussed opportunity lies in building bridges between the North and the South. Hausa communities, for instance, have also suffered greatly from the ongoing insecurity and displacement caused by insurgency and banditry. Their voices and grievances should be part of national conversations about healing and restructuring.
Healing the Wounds of History
While Nigeria’s colonial foundations created lasting complications—such as the amalgamation of diverse nations without consent—we now have the opportunity to reimagine our national identity. Historical wounds must be acknowledged, but they should not be weaponized.
Civic education, interfaith dialogue, reintegration of displaced persons, and security sector reform are practical solutions we must pursue. Empowering local communities, investing in public education, and promoting economic opportunities are not just ideals—they are the frontline tools in the fight against extremism and poverty.
A Cautious Optimism
President Bola Tinubu’s recent steps toward addressing some of these long-standing concerns are encouraging. His understanding of the geopolitical and social dynamics of the North-South divide is vital in crafting a national security approach that is fair, firm, and future-focused.
Nigeria must not fall into the trap of internal mistrust. Instead, we must learn from global history, apply wisdom from our diverse cultures, and commit to building a nation where violence, extremism, and fear are replaced by justice, opportunity, and shared dignity.
Conclusion
Solutions journalism seeks not just to spotlight problems—but to highlight how they can be addressed with integrity, courage, and innovation. This piece is not a call for conflict, but a reflection on how history, if rightly interpreted, can illuminate the path to a united and peaceful Nigeria.
