By Julius Peter

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security across Nigeria, assuring citizens in the diaspora that concerted efforts are being made to create a safer environment and facilitate seamless visits to their homeland.

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, gave the assurance during an interactive engagement with members of the Nigerian community resident in Angola.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), which took place in Luanda, Angola.

The Nigerian delegation to the AU session was led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

The engagement provided an opportunity for members of the Nigerian community in Angola to raise concerns affecting Nigerians at home and abroad, while senior government officials offered responses and outlined measures being undertaken by the administration.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the 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.

Addressing the gathering, General Musa commended the Nigerian community in Angola for maintaining a cordial and harmonious relationship with the Nigerian diplomatic mission.

He assured the diaspora community that the administration of President Tinubu remained determined to address security threats confronting the country and strengthen the capacity of the nation’s security architecture.

According to him, the Federal Government is implementing targeted interventions across various sectors to improve national security and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies.

The Defence Minister said the government was also working to increase the numerical strength of the military while improving its operational capabilities to enable security forces respond more effectively to emerging threats.

“Every sector is receiving targeted interventions to enhance our national security framework,” General Musa said.

He noted that some of Nigeria’s security challenges were linked to instability in the wider Sahel region, which, he explained, could have spillover effects across the country’s borders.

The Minister said the government was therefore strengthening border management measures to prevent the infiltration of security threats and curb cross-border incursions.

He stressed that addressing insecurity required a coordinated approach involving the military, other security agencies and relevant government institutions.

General Musa also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to incorporating credible and reliable data into national security planning and broader developmental strategies.

He said the integration of accurate data would help government agencies better understand emerging security challenges, plan effectively and deploy resources where they are most needed.

The Minister assured Nigerians that efforts to restore lasting peace and stability across the country remained ongoing, stressing that the government would continue to strengthen the institutions responsible for protecting lives, property and national sovereignty.

Speaking at the engagement, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, highlighted steps being taken by the government to strengthen data protection and identity management in the country.

Tunji-Ojo said improved identity management and enhanced data protection structures were important components of the Federal Government’s broader security strategy.

He further noted that stronger collaboration among government agencies was beginning to produce measurable results, particularly in the areas of information sharing, identity verification and national security coordination.

The Minister of Interior stressed the importance of strengthening institutional cooperation to ensure that relevant government agencies could effectively respond to security and administrative challenges.

Also speaking, the NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, reassured Nigerians in Angola and the wider diaspora that the commission remained committed to protecting their interests and promoting stronger engagement between Nigerians abroad and the Federal Government.

Dabiri-Erewa said NiDCOM would continue to keep its doors open to Nigerians in the diaspora, particularly in matters concerning their welfare, engagement with government and opportunities for contributing to national development.

The engagement underscored the Federal Government’s effort to maintain direct communication with Nigerians living outside the country and to deepen the relationship between the diaspora community and national institutions.

For the Nigerian community in Angola, the meeting also provided a platform to interact directly with key government officials on issues concerning security, identity management, welfare and the role of Nigerians abroad in national development.

The Federal Government’s assurance comes amid continuing efforts to tackle security challenges across the country and address threats associated with instability in parts of the Sahel region.

General Musa’s message to the diaspora was that strengthening national security remains a priority of the Tinubu administration and that the government is committed to creating conditions that would encourage Nigerians living abroad to visit, invest and maintain stronger connections with their homeland.

The Defence Minister reiterated that the government would continue to deploy available resources, strengthen security institutions and deepen inter-agency cooperation in pursuit of a more secure and stable Nigeria.