Nigeria has called for a whole-of-society approach to tackling its multidimensional security challenges, with stronger institutions, resilient communities, intelligence integration, domestic defence production and international partnerships identified as key priorities.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), made the call at a high-level security side event organised by the Ministry of Defence on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The event was held under the theme, “Confronting Nigeria’s Multidimensional Security Challenges: A Whole-of-Society and Partnership-Based Approach.”
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Addressing diplomats, security practitioners and representatives of the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS, Musa said Nigeria’s security challenges had moved beyond conventional military operations and required coordinated national, regional and international responses.
“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 identified resilient communities, effective institutions, inclusive development and good governance as essential components of sustainable security, stressing that military action must form part of a broader national security architecture.
Musa outlined measures being implemented under 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 cited ongoing efforts towards establishing state police and dedicated forest guard arrangements to strengthen security around rural and border communities.
Another priority was the presidential approval for a unified intelligence and reconnaissance programme aimed at reducing operational silos, improving situational awareness and strengthening interoperability among Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Musa also highlighted plans for a comprehensive national criminal database and the deployment of advanced technologies, including drones for real-time surveillance and Improvised Explosive Device detection.
On domestic defence production, he said government support for the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria was aimed at strengthening self-reliance and reducing dependence on external sources of military equipment.
The panel discussion broadened the conversation beyond military operations.
Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, former Chief of Staff to the President and Minister of External Affairs, who moderated the discussion, recalled Nigeria’s concentric-circles foreign policy and stressed the need for Africa to become an active contributor to global frameworks, particularly in Artificial Intelligence.
Major General Adeyinka T. Famadewa (Rtd), Special Adviser on Homeland Security, advocated intelligence fusion, integrated response capabilities and systems to protect citizens who report emerging threats.
A former Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force, Major General A.K. Ibrahim (Rtd), called for community-based border solutions, implementation of the Office of the National Security Adviser’s Border Management Strategy and stronger action against terrorist taxation and financial networks.
The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Obiora, described economic stability as a core pillar of national security and proposed designated economic zones to support business recovery in conflict-affected areas.
Professor Mvemba Phezo Dizolele of Johns Hopkins University urged African countries to develop security solutions suited to local realities, while cybersecurity expert Omosigho Ozo-Eson called for stronger protection of Critical National Infrastructure and indigenous cyber defence capabilities.
Closing the discussion, Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to combating terrorism and banditry and stressed the importance of international defence cooperation and African ownership of regional security mechanisms.
He said African member states must increasingly finance and sustain their own security frameworks, while also strengthening legal protections, safeguarding vulnerable health workers and creating 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.”
