By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria has called for stronger and enduring international partnerships to address the country’s evolving security challenges and wider threats confronting the Sahel region.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd) OFR, made the call at a high-level side event organised by the Ministry of Defence on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) High-Level Week in New York.
According to an official statement signed by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the event, themed “Confronting Nigeria’s Multidimensional Security Challenges: A Whole-of-Society and Partnership-Based Approach,” brought together diplomats, security practitioners and representatives of the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS.
Musa said Nigeria’s security challenges have national impacts, regional consequences and global implications, stressing that sustainable security required resilient communities, effective institutions, inclusive development and good governance.
“Our recognition that we cannot address these challenges alone is not a statement of dependence; rather, it is an acknowledgement of the multidimensional character of modern security threats and the importance of collective action,” he said.
The Minister outlined measures being implemented under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the recruitment of an additional 22,000 personnel into the Armed Forces and the expansion and reorganisation of the Nigerian Army’s divisional structure.
He also highlighted moves towards establishing state police and dedicated forest guards, as well as a presidentially approved unified intelligence and reconnaissance programme aimed at eliminating operational silos and improving coordination among Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Musa further pointed to efforts to strengthen domestic defence production through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), while expanding the use of technology, including drones for surveillance and Improvised Explosive Device detection.
Other measures highlighted included the development of a national criminal database and broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
Contributors to the panel included former Chief of Staff to the President and former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who moderated the discussion; Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka T. Famadewa (Rtd); former Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, Major General A.K. Ibrahim (Rtd); former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Kingsley Obiora; Prof. Mvemba Phezo Dizolele of Johns Hopkins University; and cybersecurity expert, Mr Omosigho Ozo-Eson.
The speakers addressed issues including intelligence fusion, border security, terrorist financing, economic recovery in conflict-affected communities, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and the need for African-led solutions to African security challenges.
Musa, in his closing remarks, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to tackling terrorism and banditry, while acknowledging the importance of defence cooperation with international partners, including the United States.
He also called for greater African ownership and financing of regional security mechanisms such as the MNJTF, noting that sustained external support should complement rather than replace the responsibility of African member states.
“Our objective should be straightforward,” Musa said. “We should not merely reaffirm our understanding of the challenges; we should seek to identify concrete areas of cooperation, clear responsibilities, and practical next steps.”
Earlier, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Bosede Olaniyi, welcomed participants and called for robust engagement capable of producing tangible outcomes for national development.
