Quick Reads

• The agreement followed the Fourth UK–Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue, held June 23–24, 2026, at the Office of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser in Abuja.
• Talks were co-chaired by Nigeria’s NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, and the UK’s NSA, Jonathan Powell.
• The UK renewed support for Nigeria’s military in tackling drone and IED threats, and backed the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre.
• Both nations agreed on a new framework to counter cyber-attacks, misinformation and organised crime.
• The UK pledged continued backing for airport security in Lagos and Abuja, and for expanding the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell.
• Election security ahead of Nigeria’s upcoming polls, plus asset recovery and crypto oversight, were also on the agenda.
• The next dialogue will hold in the UK in 2027.

Nigeria and the United Kingdom have agreed to strengthen their security and defence partnership, deepening cooperation across counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, maritime safety, intelligence sharing and efforts to curb fraud and illicit finance.

The commitments emerged from a communiqué released after the two countries’ fourth bilateral security dialogue, hosted at the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja in late June. The document was published by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and circulated locally by the British High Commission in Abuja.

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and his UK counterpart, Jonathan Powell, led the talks, which brought together senior officials from both governments. The two sides said their expanded cooperation would rest on mutual accountability and follow-through on agreed commitments.

Defence and military support The UK reaffirmed long-standing support for Nigeria’s armed forces, including joint training, technical advice and doctrine-sharing aimed at countering threats from drones and improvised explosive devices. Both countries also agreed to keep building out Nigeria’s maritime domain awareness and hydrography capacity, alongside exploring stronger defence trade ties.

Maritime security Officials underlined a shared push to secure the Gulf of Guinea, aligning efforts against illicit maritime activity and cross-border threats to protect trade routes in the region.

Cyber and hybrid threats A new structured framework will guide cooperation on cyber resilience, intelligence exchange and capability building, with a specific focus on countering misinformation, cyber-attacks and organised crime.

Counter-terrorism Both governments committed to sharper intelligence exchange, closer multi-agency coordination and stronger forensic and investigative capacity in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. The UK also welcomed Nigeria’s move to speed up terrorism trials through remote court hearings at the Federal High Court, and pledged continued support for aviation security at Nigeria’s two busiest airports, plus the expansion of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell nationwide.

Human rights and non-kinetic measures The two sides reaffirmed commitments to Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programmes and broader peacebuilding efforts, while stressing civilian protection, accountability and transparent probes into rights violations by state and non-state actors alike.

Election security With Nigeria’s national elections approaching, both governments flagged the need for robust election security to protect voters and institutions, manage public order in line with international norms, and limit election-related violence.

Financial crime Cooperation on fraud and illicit finance will expand, covering intelligence sharing, asset recovery, cryptocurrency oversight and joint enforcement action.

Regional security Both countries voiced concern over worsening instability in the Sahel and backed Nigeria’s leadership role in regional peace efforts, including its engagement through ECOWAS and continued outreach to the Alliance of Sahel States. The UK also welcomed progress toward turning Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre into a Regional Centre of Excellence.

The two sides agreed to track implementation of these commitments ahead of the next dialogue, scheduled to be hosted by the UK in 2027.