Nigeria, UK Strengthen Defence Cooperation Against Insecurity

Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a sustained and enhanced strategic partnership with the United Kingdom to tackle evolving security challenges.

Musa gave the assurance when he received the UK national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, and his delegation at the Ship House, Abuja.

The UK team is in Nigeria for the 4th UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP4) Dialogue.

Musa, in a statement by his special adviser on Media, Leah Katung-Babatunde, emphasised the importance of deepening bilateral ties, particularly in the critical areas of counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, and regional stability.

He said, “Nigeria values its historic and strategic relationship with the United Kingdom.”

According to him, the minister and the visiting UK NSA, in line with existing bilateral frameworks, agreed to a comprehensive review of existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between both nations, with a specific focus on modernising security protocols, expanding technical training, and enhancing capacity-building for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The bilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of the 2-day SDP4 Dialogue, hosted by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.

Co-led by Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the UK NSA, Jonathan Powell, the high-level summit successfully set a robust agenda for bilateral security cooperation through 2026 and beyond.