By Monsurat Abisoye
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to human rights, the rule of law, accountability, and democratic governance while tackling Nigeria’s security challenges, stressing that lasting security depends on strong institutions, public trust, and respect for fundamental freedoms.
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, made this known on Tuesday at the opening of the 4th United Kingdom–Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP4) in Abuja. He said the future security environment will be shaped not only by conventional threats but also by technology, data, and information, as criminal and hostile actors increasingly exploit cyberspace, artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and illicit financial networks.
Ribadu emphasised the need for stronger international cooperation, deeper intelligence sharing, and greater investment in innovation to counter emerging threats. He commended the United Kingdom’s support in cybersecurity and information resilience, noting that information is increasingly being weaponised to weaken institutions, exploit divisions, and undermine national cohesion. He added that Nigeria welcomes continued collaboration through intelligence sharing, joint analysis, and practical responses to such challenges.
He described Nigeria as Africa’s largest democracy and a key regional security actor, committed to promoting stability, democratic governance and collective resilience. Ribadu noted that since the first dialogue in London in 2022, the UK–Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership has expanded into a broader framework covering counterterrorism, cybersecurity, maritime security, crisis response, intelligence cooperation and regional stability, with previous engagements delivering improvements in institutional resilience and operational capacity.
He warned that terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, organised criminal networks, illicit financial flows, foreign information manipulation, and transnational crime require coordinated multi-agency and cross-border responses. According to him, no country can address these challenges alone, making whole-of-government and international cooperation essential.
Ribadu also expressed concern over worsening security conditions in West Africa and the Sahel, citing insurgency, unconstitutional changes of government, arms trafficking, organised crime, and humanitarian pressures as key destabilising factors. He stressed that stronger partnerships would improve both crisis response and preventive capacity, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to degrading terrorist networks despite their evolving and technology-driven nature.
He highlighted counterterrorism as a central pillar of the UK–Nigeria partnership, appreciating British support in strengthening crisis response, disrupting terrorist financing, improving investigations, and enhancing strategic communications. He also noted ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre and broader counterterrorism capabilities, alongside expanded cooperation in defence training, doctrine development, maritime security, and operational effectiveness.
UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell said the partnership provides a framework for aligning strategies, sharing expertise, and building long-term capabilities, stressing that it must evolve alongside emerging threats. He said the UK aims not to replace Nigerian capacity but to strengthen it by supporting resilient institutions and sovereign security capabilities.
Powell highlighted cybersecurity as a growing priority, noting the increasing integration of digital technologies into modern societies and economies. He referenced lessons from global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, where drones and autonomous systems are reshaping warfare and creating new security challenges.
He also identified illicit financial networks as a major driver of instability, terrorism, and organised crime, calling for stronger coordination among governments, law enforcement, and international partners. Powell stressed the need for integrated responses combining defence, intelligence, diplomacy, law enforcement, and economic tools.
He further emphasised operational concerns such as logistics, force protection, and adequate resources for frontline personnel, while reaffirming the UK’s commitment to human rights, the rule of law, and democratic values. He concluded that sustainable security requires a balanced approach combining security operations, intelligence capacity, and broader governance strategies working in coordination.