Strengthening partnership with the UK to combat insecurity

JACOB ONOKPASA argues that the UK‑Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership represents an investment in Nigeria’s wider national development.

In a period when Nigeria is confronting one of the most intricate security landscapes in its history, strategic alliances have become not merely desirable but essential. Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, piracy, cybercrime, transnational organised crime, and the proliferation of small arms are no longer isolated domestic concerns; they are interconnected threats that cross borders and demand coordinated international responses.

Against this backdrop, the two‑day Fourth Session of the UK‑Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue, held in Abuja on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s evolving security architecture. The meeting was co‑chaired by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and his British counterpart, Jonathan Powell, demonstrating Nigeria’s steady progress in building international alliances that reinforce its internal security efforts.

“Nigeria’s long history and ties with the United Kingdom remain as strong as the commitments both countries have to their shared values and mutual interests,” Mallam Ribadu said, noting that the dialogue seeks to deepen existing partnerships while exploring future prospects. Those few words carry enormous significance.

Today’s security challenges cannot be won by military might alone. They require intelligence‑driven operations, sophisticated surveillance technology, specialised training, cybersecurity capabilities, financial intelligence, border management, counter‑terrorism expertise, and robust international cooperation—areas where the United Kingdom has accumulated decades of experience.

Nigeria occupies a strategic position in West Africa, and whatever affects Nigeria invariably impacts the wider sub‑region. Consequently, a stronger Nigeria translates into a more secure West Africa, making the UK‑Nigeria partnership beneficial to both countries.

The composition of the Nigerian delegation underscored the seriousness attached to the dialogue. In addition to the NSA, the meeting brought together the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; Inspector‑General of Police, Tunji Disu; Service Chiefs; and other senior security stakeholders.

Such high‑level representation demonstrates a deliberate whole‑of‑government approach to national security and reflects the growing synergy among Nigeria’s security institutions under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Adviser. That coordination has become increasingly important.

For years, one of the criticisms leveled against Nigeria’s security management was the absence of effective coordination among various agencies. Today, under Mallam Ribadu’s leadership, there is increasing evidence that intelligence sharing, joint planning, and inter‑agency cooperation are receiving renewed attention. The Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue complements this domestic coordination by extending it to trusted international partners.

One of the biggest gains expected from the dialogue is enhanced intelligence sharing. Modern terrorism thrives on information gaps. Criminal networks operate across multiple jurisdictions. Terror financiers move resources through sophisticated international channels. Human traffickers, arms smugglers, and cybercriminals exploit porous borders and weak coordination among countries. No nation can effectively combat such threats in isolation.

The United Kingdom possesses advanced intelligence capabilities developed over many decades of counter‑terrorism operations. Nigeria equally possesses valuable local intelligence and operational experience in dealing with insurgency and organised criminal groups within the West African region. When these complementary strengths are brought together, both countries become stronger.

Equally important is capacity building. Training remains one of the most enduring forms of defence cooperation because it creates lasting institutional capacity. Nigerian military personnel, intelligence