Jimoh Ibrahim: Nigeria Seeking Stronger Military Partnerships, Security Reforms at UN

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, said President Bola Tinubu was committed to strengthening military partnerships and supporting reforms within the United Nations as part of efforts to address emerging global peace and security challenges.

Ibrahim spoke on Monday while welcoming members of the United States Army War College to the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations in New York.

A statement by the media office of the UN Permanent Representative in New York said the visit of the delegation highlighted the importance of sustained dialogue, strategic cooperation, and mutual understanding among institutions working to promote global peace and security.

According to Ibrahim, the United States Army War College is one of the world’s leading institutions for developing strategic military leaders with deep understanding of conflict management and international security dynamics.

He said Tinubu was particularly encouraged by the progress recorded through Nigeria’s longstanding collaboration with the institution, especially the outstanding achievements of Nigerian military officers, who had passed through the college.

The ambassador listed former President Muhammadu Buhari; former Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja; Colonel Charles Nengite; Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu; and Colonel Haruna Ibrahim among distinguished Nigerians, whose performances at the college continued to inspire excellence within the Nigerian armed forces.

He expressed delight at the presence of Colonel Timothy Ajato of the Nigerian Army among the visiting participants.

Speaking on contemporary security concerns, Ibrahim identified global arms control, disarmament, illicit weapons transfers, major power competition, and rising geopolitical tensions as major threats confronting the international community.

He warned that the rapid advancement of emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, autonomous weapons, drones, and cyber warfare, had significantly altered the global security landscape.

According to him, AI-driven military systems now make it increasingly difficult to define, regulate, and verify arms limitations, thereby demanding urgent and coordinated international responses.

He stressed that Nigeria was actively working with international partners and the United Nations Security Council to strengthen peacebuilding efforts, security cooperation, and diplomatic engagement across regions.

Ibrahim  highlighted Tinubu’s support for United Nations’ UN80 reforms, describing them as necessary and timely steps towards addressing critical peace and security concerns within the global system.

He said Nigeria would continue to embrace collaboration, diplomacy, and institutional reforms in resolving both domestic and international challenges in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter.

On the economy, the envoy stated that ongoing reforms under the Tinubu administration had placed Nigeria on a stronger growth trajectory, adding that international financial institutions have acknowledged the country’s improving economic outlook and contribution to global GDP.

He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building stronger bilateral and multilateral partnerships that would advance sustainable development, peacebuilding, and international cooperation.

Ibrahim added that the visit marked his first official reception of foreign visitors since assuming office as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.