Nigeria’s Defence and Interior Ministries have pledged to deepen cooperation in addressing the country’s evolving security threats, emphasising that effective national security requires coordinated efforts across agencies.
Defence Minister, General Christopher Musa made the call on Friday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. He described both ministries as “two sides of the same national security coin,” noting that threats such as terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and cross-border crimes blur the line between internal and external security.
“No single ministry or agency can address these challenges alone,” Musa said. “We need intelligence-driven, coordinated approaches to safeguard the nation”.
He proposed strengthening joint intelligence frameworks between the Defence Intelligence Agency and internal security agencies, including the Nigerian Immigration Service, NSCDC, and Nigerian Correctional Service, alongside secure platforms for real-time information sharing, joint exercises, and clear operational protocols.
Musa assured continued support for internal security agencies through training in counterterrorism, intelligence, crisis response and logistical and technical assistance.
Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo welcomed the proposals, noting that strong internal security allows the armed forces to focus on their core mandate. “Our national security rests on three pillars: intelligence, internal security, and defence. Weakness in one leg jeopardises the entire structure”, he said.
He stressed that NSCDC protects critical national infrastructure and called attacks on such assets “economic terrorism”, requiring specialised protection in cooperation with the military. Both ministers also emphasised integrated data management to inform defence planning and agreed to set up a permanent inter-ministerial committee to review progress and institutionalise cooperation.
The ministers expressed confidence that sustained collaboration would strengthen national security, enhance public trust, and ensure a safer Nigeria for all citizens.
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