By Abraham Olatokunbo
The UK and Nigeria are holding the first meeting of the Nigeria-UK Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue in London this week.
Talks, led by UK National Security Adviser, Sir Stephen Lovegrove and Nigerian National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), are scheduled to last for three days, and will conclude on Wednesday.
The Dialogue will also include a series of breakout sessions covering a range of issues, including counter terrorism, serious and organised crime, civilian policing and human rights.
Defence staff talks, led by UK Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, General L.E.O. Irabor, will also take place in parallel, and will discuss military cooperation.
The Nigeria-UK Security and Defence Partnership was agreed between the two countries in 2018. Further details of that agreement can be found on www.gov.uk. This week’s dialogue will be the first meeting following the 2018 agreement.
At the start of the dialogue, UK government Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford MP, said:
“Today we welcome our Nigerian friends as we open the first UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership dialogue in London. By building stronger security ties we can better protect our people from shared security threats.”
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing said:
“Looking forward to the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership discussions over the next few days. Great to have this chance to expand our security and defence cooperation to improve how we respond to shared security threats.”
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and the British High Commission to Nigeria look forward to sharing more details about the Partnership Dialogue after their conclusion later this week.
Notes to Editors:
- The UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership was agreed between the two countries in 2018.
- The Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue this week was the first such dialogue since the partnership was formed.
- The Dialogue the will take place at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office headquarters at King Charles Street, London.
- Before the 2018 agreement and since it, Nigeria and the UK have worked closely together to deepen the partnership between our two countries and tackle shared threats, bolster regional stabilisation efforts and support Nigeria’s peace-keeping capabilities.
- The British High Commission to Nigeria expects to publish a statement on Wednesday 2 February with outcomes of the Dialogue.
