Goodluck Jonathan: Boko Haram’s Strength Surprised My Administration

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has admitted that his government underestimated the strength and resources of Boko Haram during his tenure. Speaking at the launch of a new book on the anti‑insurgency campaign, he said the extremist group possessed more weapons and better logistics than the national army at the time. Jonathan lamented that the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls remains a painful stain on his presidency, but insisted that his administration worked tirelessly to rescue them and contain the insurgency.

Jonathan argued that defeating violent extremism requires more than military action: it demands good governance, poverty reduction and education to address the root causes that drive young people into the arms of militants. He urged the government to invest in rebuilding affected communities and to support local vigilante groups who have been crucial in fighting Boko Haram. The former president commended the author of the book for documenting the contributions of soldiers and civilians in reclaiming territory and noted that Nigeria must learn from past mistakes to prevent future threats.