The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), has stressed that effective collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior is vital to safeguarding Nigeria’s security and driving sustainable national development.
Thank you for visiting The Vestigator, don't forget to share!
General Musa made this known during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Interior on Friday, January 16, 2026, in Abuja, where he described both ministries as partners with shared responsibilities in protecting the nation.
According to the Defence Minister, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior function as two sides of the same coin, overseeing external and internal security respectively. He noted that modern security threats—including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and cross-border crimes—have blurred traditional boundaries, making cooperation more important than ever.
“Without security, there can be no meaningful development,” Gen. Musa said, adding that Nigeria’s evolving security challenges demand coordinated action rather than isolated efforts.
He emphasised the need for seamless collaboration, including intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated responses among the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service and other security agencies. He pointed out that no single institution can effectively address the country’s complex security issues on its own.
The Minister disclosed that efforts are underway to strengthen border management, safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure, and formalise cooperation through structured inter-ministerial and inter-agency frameworks. He added that capacity building, joint training programmes and the use of technology for real-time situational awareness remain key priorities.
Reassuring Nigerians, Gen. Musa affirmed the Defence Ministry’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Interior and all relevant stakeholders to build a unified, responsive and resilient national security architecture that promotes peace, stability and public confidence.
In his response, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, agreed that national security is a blend of both internal and external efforts. He explained that when internal security agencies perform effectively, the military is better positioned to focus on its core responsibilities.
“Our national security framework stands on three pillars: intelligence, internal security and the military,” Tunji-Ojo said, stressing that intelligence remains the backbone of effective security operations.
He likened the Ministries of Defence and Interior to “Siamese twins”, noting that their success depends on how well they work together. According to him, secure borders are essential to a secure nation, as no country can truly protect its citizens without effectively controlling its borders.
The Interior Minister reaffirmed that enhanced border management is central to national peace and stability and requires sustained cooperation between internal security agencies and the Defence Ministry.
Tunji-Ojo congratulated General Musa on his appointment and pledged full collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework. He expressed confidence that the partnership between both ministries would yield positive results for the country.
