FG Strengthens Security to Make Nigeria Safer for Diaspora Visits — Defence Minister
Oru Leonard
LUANDA, Angola — The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security across Nigeria to create a safer environment and facilitate seamless visits by Nigerians in the diaspora.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), made the assurance during an interactive engagement with members of the Nigerian community in Angola on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in Luanda.
The Nigerian delegation to the AU summit was led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The engagement provided an opportunity for government officials to hear directly from Nigerians living in Angola, address their concerns and provide feedback on measures being taken by the administration.
Also at the meeting were the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa; and the Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Angola, Ambassador Maxy Ogbede
Musa commended the Nigerian community for maintaining a cordial relationship with the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Angola and stressed President Tinubu’s commitment to tackling security threats across the country.
He said the government was strengthening the numerical strength and operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies as part of broader efforts to improve national security.
“Every sector is receiving targeted interventions to enhance our national security framework,” the minister said.
He attributed some of Nigeria’s security challenges to instability in the Sahel region, which he said had implications for countries across the region through cross-border movements.
According to him, the government is implementing comprehensive border management measures to prevent such security threats from infiltrating the country.
The Defence Minister also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to integrating reliable data into national security strategies and development planning, saying efforts to restore lasting peace and stability were ongoing.
On his part, the Interior Minister highlighted measures being implemented to strengthen data protection and identity management in the country.
Tunji-Ojo said improved inter-agency collaboration was already producing measurable results in the government’s efforts to strengthen internal security and identity management.
Dabiri-Erewa, while reiterating NiDCOM’s mandate, assured Nigerians in the diaspora that the commission remained committed to protecting their welfare and creating opportunities that would enable them to contribute to national development.
She said the commission would continue to provide support to Nigerians abroad while promoting stronger engagement between the diaspora and Nigeria.
