Buhari ended Jonathan-era mercenary contract despite battlefield gains
During his presidency in early 2015, Goodluck Jonathan’s administration did engage hundreds of South African and other foreign mercenaries to train Nigerian forces and fight Boko Haram. The use of these private military companies (PMCs) was a controversial, last-minute effort to…
— oseni rufai (@ruffydfire) November 22, 2025
During his presidency in early 2015, Goodluck Jonathan’s administration did engage hundreds of South African and other foreign mercenaries to train Nigerian forces and fight Boko Haram. The use of these private military companies (PMCs) was a controversial, last-minute effort to achieve battlefield success ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for March 2015.
Details of the engagement
•Objective: The primary goal was to rapidly turn the tide against Boko Haram, who at the time controlled a significant amount of territory in northeastern Nigeria and had demoralized the Nigerian military.
•Companies involved: The foreign personnel were reportedly linked to the bosses of the former South African private military firm Executive Outcomes, run by Colonel Eeben Barlow. The Nigerian government described them as “trainers and technicians” rather than mercenaries, though reports indicated they engaged in direct combat, including flying attack helicopters.
•Impact: The mercenaries, equipped with sophisticated weaponry, had a significant and immediate “devastating effect” on the insurgency, leading to the recapture of several towns and the freeing of hundreds of captives. Some reports suggest they were close to finishing the insurgency when their contract was ended.
•Termination: The contract was reportedly terminated by the incoming administration of President Muhammadu Buhari shortly after he took office in May 2015, who stated that Nigeria did not need foreign mercenaries to fight a local insurgent group.
The engagement was a short-term measure that proved militarily effective but was politically sensitive, as the Nigerian public and the new administration were divided on the use of foreign private forces.