National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Nigeria and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in tackling terrorism financing, cyber threats, disinformation, and other emerging security challenges under the renewed UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership.
The pledge was made on Tuesday during the opening of the 4th UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu said the partnership has grown into a comprehensive strategic framework encompassing counterterrorism, cybersecurity, regional stability, crisis response, maritime security, and intelligence sharing.
According to Ribadu, the dialogue comes at a time when the global security landscape is becoming increasingly complex, with traditional threats evolving alongside new technology-driven risks.
“Terrorism, violent extremism, cybercrime, organised criminal networks, illicit financial flows, foreign information manipulation, and interference demand unprecedented levels of cooperation among trusted partners,” he said.
“No nation can address these threats alone. Effective responses require coordinated action across defence, intelligence, law enforcement, diplomacy, cyber capabilities, and financial systems.”
Ribadu noted that Nigeria remains committed to addressing security challenges through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. He said significant gains had been recorded in dismantling terrorist and criminal networks operating across the country.
He added that Nigeria would continue to play a leading role in promoting regional stability, democratic governance, and collective resilience against shared threats across Africa.
The NSA commended the UK for its support in enhancing Nigeria’s crisis response capacity, disrupting terrorist financing networks, strengthening investigations, and supporting strategic communications initiatives. He also acknowledged ongoing collaboration aimed at reinforcing the National Counter Terrorism Centre and advancing sustainable counterterrorism efforts.
Highlighting the growing importance of digital security, Ribadu said both countries were expanding cooperation in cybersecurity and information resilience to counter the increasing exploitation of cyberspace by criminal and hostile actors.
“The future security environment will be shaped not only by conventional threats but also by technology, information, and data,” he said.
“Building resilience against these threats requires stronger partnerships, deeper intelligence sharing, and greater investment in innovation.”
In his remarks, UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell described Nigeria as the United Kingdom’s most important partner in Africa and a key pillar of regional stability and collective security.
Powell said today’s security threats are increasingly interconnected, making closer international cooperation essential.
“We face an era of hybrid threats. Terrorism, cyber threats, disinformation, illicit finance, organised crime, and attacks on critical infrastructure are increasingly linked,” he said.
“These challenges require us to adapt our approaches and work more closely together than ever before.”
According to Powell, the UK-Nigeria partnership is anchored on practical cooperation, including frontline operational support, institutional capacity building, crisis preparedness, and efforts to address future threats.
He disclosed that British military personnel are currently supporting Nigerian forces in Maiduguri, while counterterrorism experts are working alongside Nigerian law enforcement agencies and the National Counter Terrorism Centre.
Powell said a key priority of the partnership is preparing for future challenges through stronger cyber capabilities, enhanced resilience against disinformation, and the protection of democratic institutions.
“Disinformation has become one of the greatest challenges facing democracies today. It can undermine public trust in institutions, deepen societal divisions, and weaken national cohesion,” he said.
“We must take this threat seriously and develop effective strategies to counter it.”
He also stressed the importance of disrupting illicit financial networks that fund terrorism, organised crime, and instability, noting that success would require close collaboration among governments, law enforcement agencies, and international partners.
Powell reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in building resilient institutions and sustainable national capacities capable of addressing both current and future security challenges.
The dialogue is expected to assess progress under the bilateral security partnership and identify new areas of cooperation to address evolving security threats.
The event was attended by heads of defence and security agencies, including Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, other service chiefs, and defence and diplomatic officials from both countries.uy
