Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), has called for stronger international cooperation to tackle terrorism, banditry and other emerging security threats, warning that such challenges have national, regional and global implications.
Musa made the call during a high-level security dialogue held on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The event, organised by Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence and themed “Confronting Nigeria’s Multidimensional Security Challenges: A Whole-of-Society and Partnership-Based Approach,” brought together diplomats, security experts and representatives of the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS.
Addressing participants, the minister stressed that no country could effectively confront modern security 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,” Musa said.
He noted that the Tinubu administration had initiated several measures to strengthen national security, including the recruitment of an additional 22,000 military personnel, expansion of the Nigerian Army’s divisional structure and efforts to establish state policing and forest guard systems.
Musa also highlighted plans for a unified intelligence and reconnaissance programme aimed at improving coordination among security agencies and enhancing operational effectiveness.
The minister disclosed that government was investing in domestic defence production through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), while deploying advanced technologies such as drones for surveillance and improvised explosive device detection.
Security experts at the event advocated stronger intelligence-sharing mechanisms, integrated border management and community-based approaches to tackling insecurity.
In his closing remarks, Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to defeating terrorism and banditry, while urging African nations to take greater responsibility for financing and sustaining regional security initiatives.
He said effective cooperation, clear responsibilities and practical action remain critical to addressing the continent’s security challenges.
