The Trump administration announced an airstrike against Islamic State–affiliated groups in northwestern Nigeria, carried out in coordination with the government in Abuja. Washington has accused Nigerian authorities for weeks of failing to contain jihadist violence and religiously framed tensions.
Why it matters: The U.S. raid against jihadist militants in Nigeria is not just a counterterrorism operation. It directly intersects with Italian interests tied to Africa’s stabilization — a key condition for the success of the Mattei Plan.
The backdrop: Nigeria sits at the center of a multidimensional security crisis — terrorism, local conflicts, institutional fragility — with spillover effects across West Africa.
- For the United States, the dossier fits into a broader strategy to counter global jihadism in a continent where the U.S. military footprint has been shrinking.
Italy’s angle: Rome views Nigeria as a strategic partner for regional stability. On November 21, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni firmly condemned the violence against Christian communities, urging the Nigerian government to strengthen protection for all religious groups, while avoiding ultimatum-style rhetoric.
Why Italy cares: Africa’s stabilization is a core pillar of the Mattei Plan. Without security and governance, economic development, energy cooperation, and orderly migration management remain unattainable.
Zoom in: Italy, Nigeria and the Mattei Passport. In 2024, Deputy Foreign Minister Edmondo Cirielli backed the “Mattei Passport” project in Nigeria — an initiative linking training, regular migration, and economic cooperation.
- The political message is clear: development and stability as structural alternatives to permanent crisis management.
Two lines, one goal. The United States relies on political pressure and security leverage. Italy prioritizes a medium to long-term approach based on partnerships, investment, and cooperation.
- Different paths, but not incompatible — both aimed at building a stable Africa capable of generating prosperity, with clear long-term strategic relevance.
The bottom line: The U.S. raid underscores how central Nigeria has become.
- For Washington, it is a security priority.
- For Rome, it is a necessary condition for Africa to unlock the potential envisioned by the Mattei Plan — and for regional stability to move beyond rhetoric.
