Nigeria's Defence Minister Advocates Security Partnerships at UNGA

At the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) High-Level Week in New York, Nigeria's Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), convened a high-level discussion advocating for a whole-of-society approach to address Nigeria's and the Sahel region's security challenges. This initiative, as stated by media aide Leah Katung-Babatunde, emphasizes the need for international partnerships to combat evolving security threats.

General Musa highlighted measures under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's leadership, including the recruitment of 22,000 personnel into the Armed Forces, restructuring the Nigerian Army, and establishing state police and forest guard arrangements. He also mentioned the implementation of a unified intelligence program and the strengthening of domestic defense production through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).

The event featured a panel moderated by Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who stressed Africa's role in global frameworks, while Major General Adeyinka T. Famadewa (Rtd) advocated for enhanced intelligence and integrated response capabilities.