By Ayo Ibrahim
The Federal Government has called for a comprehensive, partnership-based and whole-of-society approach to tackling Nigeria’s increasingly complex security challenges and their wider implications for the Sahel region.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), made the call during a high-level security discussion convened by the Ministry of Defence on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) High-Level Week in New York.
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 Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Musa said Nigeria’s security challenges have national impacts, regional consequences and global implications, stressing that no country could address the evolving threats in isolation.
“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.
According to him, sustainable security requires resilient communities, effective institutions, inclusive development and good governance.
The minister outlined a number of 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 disclosed ongoing efforts towards the establishment of state police and dedicated forest guard arrangements aimed at improving security in rural and border communities.
Musa further highlighted the implementation of presidential approval for a unified intelligence and reconnaissance programme designed to eliminate operational silos, improve situational awareness and strengthen interoperability among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The minister said the government was also strengthening domestic defence production through support for the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), with the aim of increasing self-reliance and reducing dependence on external sources of military equipment.
He added that advanced technologies, including drones for real-time surveillance and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection, were being integrated into national security operations.
The rollout of a comprehensive national criminal database was also identified as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security management.
Experts Seek Stronger Intelligence Coordination
The panel discussion, moderated by former Chief of Staff to the President and former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, focused on several dimensions of Nigeria’s security challenges.
Gambari recalled Nigeria’s traditional concentric-circles foreign policy and urged African countries to play a more active role in shaping global frameworks, particularly in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
On homeland security and early warning systems, the Special Adviser on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka T. Famadewa (Rtd), called for greater intelligence fusion, integrated response capabilities and systems that would protect citizens who report security threats.
Former Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Major General A.K. Ibrahim (Rtd), advocated community-based approaches to border security and the implementation of the Office of the National Security Adviser’s Border Management Strategy.
He also called for the revitalisation of the MNJTF and intensified efforts to disrupt terrorist taxation and financial networks.
Economic Security Takes Centre Stage
Economic security also featured prominently during the discussions.
Dr Kingsley Obiora, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said economic stability remained a critical pillar of national security.
He proposed the establishment of designated economic zones, drawing on Colombia’s experience, to stimulate business recovery and economic activity in conflict-affected communities.
Prof. Mvemba Phezo Dizolele of Johns Hopkins University urged African countries to develop security solutions suited to their own circumstances rather than adopting external templates.
He argued that effective solutions should be designed around the realities and needs of local populations.
Cybersecurity expert, Mr Omosigho Ozo-Eson, meanwhile, cautioned against excessive reliance on foreign AI systems.
He stressed the need to protect Nigeria’s Critical National Infrastructure and develop indigenous cyber-defence capabilities to strengthen national resilience.
Nigeria Seeks Greater Regional Ownership
In his closing remarks, Musa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to combating terrorism and banditry, while acknowledging the importance of international defence cooperation, including collaboration with the United States.
He noted that although regional security mechanisms such as the MNJTF continue to receive support from international partners, including the European Union, African countries must increasingly provide the resources needed to finance and sustain their own security frameworks.
According to him, greater African ownership would be critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability of regional security mechanisms.
The minister also highlighted government efforts to strengthen legal frameworks, protect vulnerable health workers operating in high-risk areas and create a stable business environment capable of attracting investment.
“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 to the event and called for robust engagement capable of producing tangible outcomes for national development.
The Ministry of Defence said its mandate includes safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and borders, protecting national interests, and advancing national security through effective military operations, strategic defence partnerships and sustainable security governance.
