Nigeria and the United Kingdom have renewed their commitment to deepen cooperation in tackling terrorism financing, cybercrime, disinformation, and other emerging security risks under their bilateral security and defence framework.
The pledge was made on Tuesday during the opening session of the 4th UK–Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue held in Abuja.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, said the partnership has expanded into a comprehensive security architecture covering counterterrorism, cybersecurity, intelligence sharing, maritime security, crisis response, and regional stability.
He noted that global security threats are becoming more complex, with traditional risks now intersecting with digital and financial crimes.
According to Ribadu, threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, illicit financial flows, organised crime, and foreign information manipulation require coordinated international action.
He stressed that no single country can effectively address these challenges alone, calling for stronger collaboration across defence, intelligence, law enforcement, diplomacy, and financial systems.
Ribadu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in combating insecurity, noting ongoing progress against terrorist and criminal networks.
He added that Nigeria remains a key security partner in Africa, contributing to regional peace, democratic stability, and collective resilience.
The United Kingdom National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, described Nigeria as Britain’s most important security partner in Africa and a central pillar in regional stability efforts.
Powell said modern threats are increasingly interconnected, requiring stronger and more adaptive international cooperation.
He warned that terrorism, cyberattacks, organised crime, illicit finance, disinformation, and attacks on infrastructure are now deeply linked.
Powell stressed that disinformation has become one of the most serious threats facing democracies, capable of weakening institutions and dividing societies.
He said the UK and Nigeria are strengthening practical cooperation, including intelligence support, crisis preparedness, and capacity building.
Powell disclosed that British military personnel are currently assisting Nigerian forces in Maiduguri, alongside counterterrorism experts working with Nigerian security agencies and the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
He added that both countries are expanding cooperation in cybersecurity and information resilience to counter digital threats and hostile online activities.
According to him, efforts are also ongoing to disrupt illicit financial networks that support terrorism and organised crime.
Both nations agreed that future security challenges will increasingly be driven by technology, data, and information warfare.
Ribadu said strengthening cyber resilience, intelligence cooperation, and innovation will be essential for national and regional security.
Powell reiterated that the UK remains committed to helping Nigeria build strong institutions and long-term security capacity.
The dialogue is expected to assess progress in ongoing cooperation and identify new strategic areas of partnership.
The event was attended by top Nigerian security officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, service chiefs, intelligence leaders, and senior defence representatives from both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
