Fourth UK–Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue, June 2026: communiqué

The UKNigeria Security and Defence Partnership is a flagship pillar of the UKNigeria Strategic Partnership, deepening co-operation on shared security challenges across Nigeria and the wider region.

Fourth United KingdomNigeria Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue 2026: communiqué

Details

The UKNigeria Security and Defence Partnership (SDP) is a flagship pillar of the UKNigeria Strategic Partnership, bringing together both governments to deepen co-operation on shared security challenges across Nigeria and the wider region.

The fourth SDP dialogue was held in Abuja on 23 to 24 June 2026, opened by the National Security Adviser to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Nuhu Ribadu, and the United Kingdom's National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell. Through the SDP, the UK and Nigeria have strengthened collaboration on counter-terrorism, hybrid threats, fraud and illicit finance, defence capability development, and human rights-centred approaches to security.

The partnership has delivered practical outcomes including support to Nigeria's armed forces and security institutions, joint efforts to counter cyber and hybrid threats, progress on civilian harm mitigation and accountability, and strengthened collaboration to tackle organised crime, violent extremism and regional security challenges across West Africa.