Policy paper

Communique of the second edition of the United Kingdom - Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership

Published 14 February 2024

1. Introduction

The United Kingdom and Nigeria held the second United Kingdom – Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) Dialogue at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, Nigeria from 7 to 8 February 2024. The Dialogue was a follow-up to the inaugural Dialogue which was held in London from 31 January to 2 February 2022.

The SDP builds on the deep historical ties, enduring good relationship, mutual trust and closely related principles of democratic governance that has existed between Nigeria and the United Kingdom for decades. The SDP is also premised on shared respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as the mutual commitment of both countries to regional and international peace and security.

The Opening Plenary Session of the Dialogue was co-chaired by the National Security Adviser of Nigeria and the Deputy National Security Adviser of the United Kingdom. During the Plenary, which was attended by high-level delegates from across the Governments of the United Kingdom and Nigeria, both governments acknowledged the success of the first Dialogue and highlighted the progress made over the past two years. Notable progress was the establishment of the Anti-Kidnap Fusion Center and a jointly funded Aviation Security Accreditation Center in Nigeria among others.

Both governments reiterated the challenges posed by security threats, including terrorism and violent extremism, cybercrime and other transborder threats. Both governments therefore restated the continued importance of the SDP as a forum for enhancing security and defence cooperation towards achieving the common objective of addressing these complex, evolving and multifaceted security concerns.

Through the Dialogue, the United Kingdom and Nigeria agreed to enhance the existing cooperation in a number of areas. These include:

• new lines of defence engagement
• policing and civil-military cooperation
• maritime security
• human rights
• women, peace and security
• multi-agency kidnap response
• countering terrorism and violent extremism

A new area of cooperation on cyber security was also established, which was included in the Dialogue for the first time. The United Kingdom and Nigeria agreed to continue an approach of mutual accountability to our cooperation, whereby both governments agreed to deliver on the commitments made, and to work in a spirit of partnership.

2. Cyber security

The United Kingdom welcomed the establishment of Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre which would contribute to developing Nigeria’s ability to tackle and disrupt threats to Nigeria’s Critical National Infrastructure while enhancing the digital economy.

The inaugural Nigeria - United Kingdom Cyber Dialogue reiterated the importance of developing Nigeria’s cyber security capacities. It also stressed the benefits of close cooperation to tackle the threats faced in cyberspace. Other areas include respect for international laws and norms, supporting regional, national and sectoral Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) co-operation and tackling cybercrime.

The United Kingdom and Nigeria agreed on the importance of working together to develop cyber resilience. The two Governments exchanged views on policies and programmes for strengthening cybercrime co-operation and combatting online fraud as well as the development of emerging technologies, international standards and cyber security.

The Dialogue also addressed countering cyber threats, enhancing global governance, promoting responsible behaviour in cyberspace, and garnering international cooperation in multilateral fora including, the United Nations. The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries affirmed the shared commitment to collaborate on cyber security and frames the objectives of our bilateral relationship. 

3. Countering terrorism and violent extremism

The United Kingdom and Nigeria reaffirmed commitment to work together to respond to the shared threat of terrorism. The United Kingdom offered to share experience of delivering a multi-agency approach to counter-terrorism to support Nigeria’s cross agency synergy.

The United Kingdom welcomed Nigeria’s commitment to Crisis Response and looks forward to supporting the annual Crisis Response Exercise in Nigeria through mentoring and the provision of relevant expertise. The completion of Nigeria’s Crisis Response Risk Register will underpin this work.

To support the degradation of terrorist groups, the United Kingdom offered to share insight on terrorism financing, which will ensure the broader economy is protected from the threats of the financing of terrorism. The United Kingdom and Nigeria reaffirmed the commitment to continue to work together in support of an integrated strategy that addresses underlying drivers and vulnerabilities of violent extremism.

Both governments also committed to promoting transparent, comprehensive and human rights compliant defection, as well as Defection, Demobilisation, Disengagement and De-radicalisation and Reintegration (4DR) processes. The United Kingdom committed to continuing its support to Operation Safe Corridor as a pathway for the reintegration of individuals into communities previously affected by armed conflict. Nigeria welcomed the support and recognised the need to hasten the passage of individuals from military detention through Operation Safe Corridor.

Recognising the importance of justice in effective responses to terrorism, the United Kingdom welcomed the commitment from Nigeria on timely, effective and human rights-compliant investigations and prosecutions of terrorism crimes. The United Kingdom and the Federal High Court of Nigeria agreed to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the creation of a courtroom in Federal High Court, Abuja dedicated to hearing cases under Nigerian terrorism legislation, particularly in relation to the conflict in North-East Nigeria.

The United Kingdom and Nigeria celebrated progress made through close collaboration on aviation and maritime security, which is making travel and trade between both countries more secure. The United Kingdom pledged to continue offering support and training to help maintain progress in this area and reiterates commitment to continue close and communicative relationship. To support this, the United Kingdom looks forward to agreeing a joint priority action plan at a meeting of the Nigeria and United Kingdom Aviation Security Strategic Dialogue Steering Group.

4. Kidnap response

The United Kingdom and Nigeria welcomed the progress made by the partnership in the area of kidnap response. In pursuit of the shared objective to curb kidnapping in Nigeria, the United Kingdom reiterated commitment to providing training and support through the delivery of kidnap management and negotiation courses. The United Kingdom pledged continued support and training to Nigeria’s multi-agency kidnap fusion cell and welcomed the continued engagement from all relevant Nigerian Ministries, Departments and Agencies in line with the agreed Standard Operating Procedures and Terms of Reference.

5. Defence cooperation

The United Kingdom and Nigeria celebrated the close and long-standing defence partnership and will continue to work together to tackle the breadth of Nigeria’s security challenges. The United Kingdom reiterated its long-term commitment to the development of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to countering violent extremism in Nigeria and to cooperate on maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

The United Kingdom will continue to provide targeted training and capacity building and will support the modernisation and transformation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Priority areas include assistance to Armed Forces of Nigeria institutions; human security; as well as doctrine and the development of joint operational planning. Furthermore, the United Kingdom and Nigeria agreed to explore a closer partnership on the development of Nigeria’s Defence Special Operations Force, Strategic Communications and defence sales trading relationship. Both countries agreed that the partnership will also focus on ensuring human rights compliance.

6. Policing and civil-military cooperation

The United Kingdom and Nigeria reaffirmed the importance of the Nigerian Police Force as the primary security actor responsible for domestic law enforcement, for keeping the peace and ensuring a peaceful society. The United Kingdom and Nigeria recognised the important role of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in combating threats to peace. The United Kingdom welcomed efforts to involve all relevant stakeholders in strategic decision-making and operations relating to law-enforcement. In recognition of this important task, the United Kingdom undertook to support the development of appropriate structures as part of its security and defence assistance. 

The United Kingdom and Nigeria agreed on the importance of Police Reform in Nigeria. In this regard, Nigeria affirmed its commitment to implement the Police Act 2020 and Presidential Roadmap on Police Reform, which includes provisions to strengthen human rights measures and accountability. In recognition of the importance of effective, accountable and responsive civilian policing, the United Kingdom committed to providing a package of assistance in support of policing reform in Nigeria, which will include technical assistance, training and advice on community policing and preventing criminality in various parts of the country.

The United Kingdom and Nigeria reaffirmed their shared commitment to a Nigerian-led and conditions-based transition to civil security in North-East Nigeria. The United Kingdom and Nigeria recognised the importance of enhanced civil-military cooperation and a multi-faceted stabilisation approach to the realisation of this transition to address conflict and foster sustainable peace in North-East Nigeria. The United Kingdom committed to continue its support for the Lake Chad Basin Regional Stabilisation Facility’s work to improve civil military cooperation in North-East Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad Basin region.

The United Kingdom and Nigeria acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the North East as part of a civilian-led, integrated and whole-of-government Nigerian response in the North East as well as other regions affected by violence. Both governments recognised the ongoing security challenges in the North West and North Central regions of Nigeria and agreed to work together in support of Nigeria’s efforts to institutionalise community-led and integrated peacebuilding and civil-military cooperation within Nigeria’s planning and response.

7. Human rights

The United Kingdom and Nigeria acknowledged the complex threats to civilian populations from a variety of sources in different parts of the country that the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security actors are confronting. The United Kingdom undertook to support Nigeria in the further refinement of doctrine, practice and guidance for its security sector actors that are grounded in the rule of law, prioritising effective protection of civilians, respect for human rights and accountability. The United Kingdom committed to continuing to work with the Armed Forces of Nigeria to support these priorities and ensure they are reflected in operational reality.

The United Kingdom and Nigeria agreed that long-term solutions require a whole-of-government effort to address drivers of violence, as well as justice responses that prioritise the needs of victims, ensure accountability for grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law, including Sexual and Gender Based Violence, whilst also promoting social reconciliation and cohesion.

The United Kingdom recognised the work being done within the Armed Forces of Nigeria to strengthen the protection of human rights, including delivery of a Gender Mainstreaming Conference in collaboration with the British High Commission, as well as collaboration with the British Defence Staff to co-run a workshop exploring applicable legal frameworks during military operations.

The United Kingdom undertook to support Nigeria with a coherent package of assistance that links security and defence to cross-cutting support in the areas of criminal justice, transitional justice, defections and demobilisation programs (DDR) and wider development assistance.

The United Kingdom and Nigeria recognised the disproportionate impact of conflict on children and acknowledged the handing over of thousands of affected children to UNICEF and other civil authorities, as part of Nigeria’s commitment to protect child victims of conflict. The United Kingdom welcomed Nigeria’s signing of a handover protocol governing children affected by armed conflict and looks forward to supporting continued work on its effective implementation.

8. Women, Peace and Security

The United Kingdom and Nigeria reaffirmed our shared commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agendas, recognising the crucial role of women in achieving sustainable peace. The United Kingdom and Nigeria committed to the implementation of the United Kingdom’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Women and Youth, Peace and Security, and agreed to collaborate and share best practices on implementation.

The United Kingdom and Nigeria also recognised the importance of taking into account gender perspectives during security operations; the United Kingdom committed to support Nigeria’s efforts in this regard, including, through the deployment of specialist advisors.

9. Serious Organised Crime

The United Kingdom and Nigeria recognised the importance of tackling serious and organised crime in order to address wider security challenges. Both governments expressed the commitment to discuss serious and organised crime, migration, and possibilities for cooperation during the upcoming United Kingdom-Nigeria Migration, Justice and Home Affairs talks co-chaired by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and United Kingdom Home Office.

10. Regional Security and the Economic Community of West African States

The United Kingdom and Nigeria agreed on the importance of enhancing regional security and stability in West Africa and the Sahel. The two Governments agreed to work together in support of Nigeria’s role as a key stakeholder in ensuring the security and stability of the region, as well as Nigeria’s ongoing efforts with partners in regional multilateral organisations.

Both governments condemned the emerging trend of disruption to democratic governance and acknowledged the importance of Nigeria’s contribution as a regional leader through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority and the organisation’s mandate of ensuring stability in the region. The United Kingdom and Nigeria agreed on the importance of working with ECOWAS and other regional partners to secure a mediated solution to the challenging political developments in West Africa and the Sahel.

The two governments also identified mis/dis-information as a significant problem affecting good governance and fuelling regional insecurity. Accordingly, the United Kingdom and Nigeria affirmed their commitment to enhance collaboration to effectively tackle the challenge of mis/dis-information and to support enhanced stability and prosperity of the region.

11. Implementation

The United Kingdom and Nigeria celebrated, through the second Dialogue in support of the Security and Defence Partnership, the deep and extensive nature of the collaboration on security and defence issues. The United Kingdom and Nigeria committed to review progress against commitments made, and to agree future cooperation at the next Security and Defence Dialogue, which is aimed to hold in the first quarter of 2025. This Dialogue will once again be supported by Defence Staff Talks, a Cyber Dialogue, a Countering-Terrorism and Countering-Violent Extremism Dialogue, and a Human Rights Dialogue, as well as any other necessary areas, and will involve all relevant.

Nuhu Ribadu
National Security Adviser
Federal Government of Nigeria

Harriet Mathews
Director General for Africa, the Americas and British Overseas Territories
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office