UNGA 81: Nigeria Seeks Global Support as Security Threats Spread Across Sahel

Nigeria has called for stronger international partnerships and a coordinated approach to address its evolving security challenges and their wider implications for the Sahel region.

Minister of Defence Christopher Musa made the call during a high-level security side event held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The event, which focused on Nigeria’s multidimensional security challenges, brought together diplomats, security experts and representatives of international and regional organisations.

Musa said Nigeria’s security challenges had national, regional and global implications, stressing that the country could not address them in isolation.

He said modern security threats were increasingly interconnected and required collective action, stronger institutions, resilient communities and inclusive economic development.

The minister highlighted measures being implemented by the Federal Government to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, including the planned recruitment of an additional 22,000 personnel into the Armed Forces.

He also disclosed efforts to expand and reorganise the Nigerian Army’s divisional structure, while initiatives towards state police and dedicated forest guard arrangements are being developed.

Musa said the government had also secured approval for a unified intelligence and reconnaissance programme designed to improve coordination among ministries, departments and security agencies.

According to him, the initiative would reduce operational gaps, improve situational awareness and strengthen cooperation among Nigeria’s intelligence and security institutions.

The minister further highlighted efforts to expand domestic defence production through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, with the aim of increasing self-reliance and reducing dependence on foreign military equipment.

He said advanced technologies, including drones for surveillance and explosive-device detection, were increasingly being integrated into security operations.

The discussions also focused on border security, terrorism financing, intelligence sharing and the need to strengthen regional mechanisms such as the Multinational Joint Task Force.

Musa called for greater African ownership of regional security arrangements, saying international partners could provide support but African countries needed to increasingly finance and sustain their own security frameworks.

He also linked economic stability to national security, with participants stressing the importance of creating jobs, strengthening businesses and supporting communities affected by conflict.

Musa said Nigeria’s engagement with international partners should produce concrete areas of cooperation, clear responsibilities and practical steps towards addressing the security challenges confronting the country and the wider Sahel.