The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) has stressed that close synergy and shared responsibility between the Ministries of Defence and Interior are critical to Nigeria’s security, safety, and sustainable development.
According to a statement by Enderline Chukwu, Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Gen. Musa made the assertion on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Interior in Abuja.
He stated that both ministries represent “two sides of the same coin” in safeguarding the nation.
According to him, while the Ministry of Defence focuses on external security, the Ministry of Interior is responsible for internal security, with both roles increasingly intertwined in the face of contemporary threats.
He observed that challenges such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and cross-border crimes demand coordinated responses, adding that no single institution can effectively address Nigeria’s complex security landscape in isolation.
“Without security, sustainable national development cannot be achieved,” the Defence Minister said, emphasizing the need for seamless collaboration, intelligence sharing, joint operations, and coordinated strategies among the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Correctional Service, and other security agencies.
Gen. Musa disclosed that efforts are underway to strengthen border management, protect critical national assets and infrastructure, and institutionalise structured cooperation through inter-ministerial and inter-agency frameworks.
He added that enhanced capacity building, joint training, and the deployment of technology for real-time situational awareness remain top priorities.
Reaffirming his commitment to national security, the Defence Minister assured Nigerians that the Defence establishment would continue to work closely with the Ministry of Interior and other stakeholders to build a stronger, more responsive, and unified security architecture in the interest of peace, stability, and public confidence.
In his response, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olatunji Ojo underscored that national security is a combination of both internal and external efforts, noting that effective internal security enables the military to concentrate on its core responsibilities.
“Our national security architecture stands on a tripod of intelligence, internal security, and the military,” Dr. Ojo said, stressing that intelligence remains the cornerstone of effective security operations. He likened the Ministries of Defence and Interior to “Siamese twins,” saying they must work together to achieve lasting security.
Dr. Ojo further stated that “a safe border is a safe nation,” adding that no country can guarantee the safety of its citizens without effective border protection. He emphasized that enhanced border management is central to national peace and stability and requires sustained collaboration between internal security agencies and the Ministry of Defence.
The Interior Minister congratulated Gen. Musa on his appointment and pledged to work closely with him to further strengthen Nigeria’s security framework, expressing optimism that both ministries would enjoy a productive and harmonious partnership.
