Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam has stated that collaboration among security agencies will serve as a vital platform to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies in leveraging International Criminal Police Organisation’s (INTERPOL) tools to foster peace and security across the nation.

Senator Gaidam stated this at the workshop on the INTERPOL with the theme, “Strengthening Internal Security: A Path to a Safer Nigeria,” organised by the Ministry of Police Affairs in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force and National Central Bureau (NCB).

The minister said he firmly believed that insights and outcomes from the workshop will be critical in addressing the pervasive insecurity that currently afflicts the society.

“We must acknowledge that for decades, our nation has grappled with the chronic issue of criminal victimisation, which has severely impacted the safety and well-being of our citizens. In recent years, we have faced an alarming rise in insurgency and terrorism, which have taken on increasingly complex international dimensions,” Gaidam said.

He said the erosion of safety in the country extends far beyond the direct consequences of crime; as “it calls for a robust response to strengthen our internal security framework with the aid of advanced international policing tools. As technology evolves, so too must our strategies to combat these threats.”

He further noted that INTERPOL is a prestigious organisation with a membership spanning 196 countries, actively engaged in combating terrorism, organised crimes, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and cybercrime, among others.

Gaidam added that that the workshop is convened with the intent of exploring and understanding INTERPOL’s resources, to effectively integrate its tools into the nation’s internal, regional, and global security efforts.

He said by adopting methodologies akin to those employed by INTERPOL, Nigeria can significantly mitigate internal security challenges in view of the myriad security threats confronting the nation today “as it is imperative that we embrace international standards to safeguard lives, properties, and infrastructure, thereby fostering economic development and stability.”

Chairman, Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), noted that security has taken a new dimension in the 21st century, adding that the threats are no longer primarily coming from the conventional factors of the usual narrative.

Argungu added that the workshop is entirely INTERPOL-driven, assuring that NCB is going to be of great assistance to the law enforcement agents in the area of intelligence gathering, investigation, and collection of electronic evidence of transnational organised crime and corruption.

The African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) has urged its members to embrace more collaboration and innovation in the 2025 operational year going forward to enable it achieve its aspirations and set objectives.

The interim chairman of the Forum, Gbenga Komolafe, said in his New Year message to members that this moment in the life of the group serves as an opportunity for deep introspection and reflection on the challenges and opportunities, renewal of hope and expectations as well as reaffirmation of commitment to its collective goals in advancing Africa’s petroleum sector.

AFRIPERF is a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing governance and regulatory practices in the petroleum sector across Africa.

Formed barely seven months ago, AFRIPERF was formally launched in July 2024 during the Nigeria Oil and Gas Energy Week to promote cooperation among regulators from various African oil and gas-producing countries, including Angola, Ghana, Liberia, The Gambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Senegal.

 

“In 2025, we encourage a spirit of enthusiasm, active participation, and collaboration among all members. Our objectives are ambitious, and achieving them necessitates the dedication and engagement of every participant.

 

We urge all members to prioritise attendance at our quarterly hybrid meetings. Your presence is crucial for fostering discussions and enhancing our decision-making processes, ensuring we remain aligned with our mission,” Engr. Komolafe said the message to members.

 

The interim chairman, who is also the Commission Chief Executive of Nigeria’s Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), emphasised the fundamental nature of inclusivity to AFRIPERF.

 

“Together, we can cultivate an environment where every voice is heard and every contribution is valued. Let us unite to leverage our diverse strengths, share knowledge and promote best practices across the continent,” he said.

 

For him, there was an urgent need to enhance training, research and innovation to build resilient regulatory institutions, adding that the aim of AFRIPERF was to promote uniform regulatory practices that attract investment and optimise resource management throughout Africa.

 

Also, he said the Forum advocates for Africa’s priorities in the global energy landscape, while integrating renewable energy and emissions reduction into existing policies.

 

He underlined the need to expand AFRIPERF’s reach and ensure that all members actively participate in shaping the continent’s collective future.

 

As members of the Forum embark on the journey together, Komolafe urged them to be confident that their collective efforts would lead to significant advancements in the petroleum sector.

 

“Together, we can navigate challenges and seize opportunities that will benefit not only our countries, but also the oil and gas sector across the continent and the communities we serve,” he said.

 

Wishing members a year filled with collaboration, innovation and success, he asked them to make 2025 a landmark year for AFRIPERF.

 

 

• China announces CN¥1bn grant for Nigeria, others, to train over 7,000 military personnel

The Federal Government says it is deepening its security partnership with the People’s Republic of China for local arms production and military training.

It says this forms part of its broader strategy to tackle terrorism and other forms of insecurity within and outside its borders.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, stated this when he briefed State House correspondents after President Bola Tinubu received China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

Wang Yi is on a four-nation week-long Africa tour, which ends on Saturday after stops in Namibia, DR Congo, Nigeria and Chad.

Tuggar stated that bolstering cooperation with key partners like China would help Nigeria and its neighbours respond to shared threats more efficiently.

“We want to work with countries like China in domesticating production of military equipment, both kinetic and non-kinetic.

“We’re looking for this, so, we don’t have to go out looking to procure with delays and many rules and regulations. We need to be able to produce locally,” he said.

Tuggar’s statement follows comments by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who said arms procurement was the military’s tightest bottleneck.

In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, General Musa explained that lengthy regulations often delayed deliveries that desperately needed by frontline troops.

The Defence Chief said this challenge, combined with the government’s drive for self-reliance, was driving Nigeria to seek ways of domesticating arms production with Chinese support.

During an operational visit to the frontline troops of Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State, Musa said the military high command might recruit skilled law-abiding citizens to locally produce firearms and military-grade equipment.

Speaking on Thursday, Tuggar re-echoed this stance and dispelled notions that Nigeria would rely on private military companies to tackle its security challenges. He also underscored Nigeria’s role as a leader in West Africa’s security, particularly in the Sahel.

“Let us work together towards solving our problems by ourselves. Let us shun this idea of allowing others to solve our problems for us. So, private military companies, as far as we are concerned, don’t matter whether they’re from north, south, east, or west. We don’t think it is going to provide the panacea,” Tuggar said.

“But when you (China) work with us, we can lead others in solving the problem. Nigeria is a very responsible country working with the constitution, so we’ve never had any expansionist tendencies.

“This is why others repose so much confidence in us and our leadership. And we will continue to work with countries such as China to address these challenges.”

Meanwhile, Nigeria and China have rejected external interference in Africa’s security affairs, reaffirming their commitment to African-led solutions for regional peace and stability.

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who also briefed State House correspondents emphasised his country’s opposition to foreign involvement in Africa’s internal matters, stressing the importance of African nations leading their own peacekeeping and counterterrorism efforts.

Wang pledged Beijing’s full support for initiatives aimed at enhancing the continent’s security, including a CN¥1bn military assistance package.

This also includes training 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers for various African countries and supporting the African Standby Force and rapid response forces.

“China will firmly support Africa in strengthening peace and security capacity building. We will work with Africa to establish a partnership for implementing the Global Security Initiative, or GSI, and make it a fine example of GSI cooperation.

“We will work to advance the partnership action for common security and provide CN¥1bn of grants in military assistance to Africa and help train 6000 military personnel and 1000 police and law enforcement personnel for African countries.

“China will also continue to support the building of the African standby force and the rapid response forces and support African countries in carrying out counter-terrorism peacekeeping operations. China will firmly support Africa in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, practising true multilateralism and not letting power politics and bullyism (sic) find their place in Africa,” Wang affirmed.

The Chinese officials also affirmed that his country would consider Nigeria’s request to expand the bilateral currency swap agreement.

This was as Tinubu urged the Chinese government to increase the $2bn currency swap between Nigeria and China to enhance trade between the two countries.

Tinubu also called for an upward review of the $50bn aid package for Africa, which China’s President Xi Jinping announced last year.

Initially inked in 2018 between the People’s Bank of China and the Central Bank of Nigeria, the swap was valued at CN¥15bn, equivalent to about N720bn (roughly US$2.5bn at the time).

By reducing reliance on the US dollar, the agreement was meant to help stabilise Nigeria’s foreign reserves while spurring trade and investments between the two nations.

President Tinubu said increasing the level of currency swaps would speed up the infrastructural development in Nigeria and deepen the strategic bilateral relations.

“We still demand more in the area of currency swap. The level you have approved as a government for Nigeria is inadequate, considering our programme. If you can increase that, it will be well appreciated. Our bond should grow stronger and become unbreakable,” the President said.

Regarding the $50bn pledged by the Chinese government to support Africa, Tinubu noted that the continent’s infrastructural needs would require more commitment, urging a review of the amount to reflect the continent’s reality.

“I am happy you are part of China’s highest decision-making body. We will want you to use your position to influence improved project funding. First, I say yes to the $50bn support, and thank you for contributing to African growth.

“The infrastructural needs of Africa are greater than that, and we want to move as rapidly as our other counterparts,” he stated.

Tinubu called on China to support Nigeria’s bid for a permanent United Nations Security Council seat.

“You are a member of the UN Security Council. We want you to use your influence to ensure Nigeria secures the seat,” the President said.

He thanked President Xi Jinping for his warm reception during his visit to China last year.

On his part, Wang said Beijing would support an African country in the UN Security Council, adding that “it was a historical injustice by the world that should be corrected.”

The foreign minister said China would welcome Nigeria’s membership of BRICS and participation in the global development mechanism. He said China fully supported Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, for a second term in office.

Addressing journalists, Wang further noted that China would always vote to support Africa’s legitimate concerns at the United Nations Security Council.

“At the United Nations Security Council, China’s vote will always go to Africa, and we will continue to speak up for the legitimate voice of African countries in the multilateral arena. As the second largest contributor to peacekeeping operations, China will continue to support the United Nations in carrying out peacekeeping operations in Africa.

“China will also firmly support Africa in achieving security through development; we will work with Africa to jointly carry out the 10 partnership actions and make good use of the CN¥360bn of funding support announced at the summit.

“Through deepening cooperation in various areas, we will work with Africa to address soil insecurity and achieve long-term stability through development,” he added.

Wang highlighted Nigeria’s influential role in Africa, particularly as the chair of ECOWAS and a key player in maintaining peace and stability in West Africa and the Sahel region.

Therefore, “China supports Nigeria in rallying countries in the region to achieve strength through unity, to build synergy through reconciliation, and to promote security through cooperation, in order to achieve peace and stability in the region, and China, would like to make its contribution to the best of its ability to that end,” Wang said.

He reaffirmed the momentum in bilateral financial ties, inviting Nigeria to explore issuing Panda bonds in China’s markets while expressing confidence in Nigeria’s economic stability.

Panda bonds are renminbi-denominated bonds issued by foreign entities in China’s domestic bond market.

By issuing these bonds, foreign governments, financial institutions or corporations can raise capital in mainland China, giving them direct access to China’s liquidity and investor base.

For the issuing entity, Panda bonds can help diversify funding sources and hedge against exchange rate risks. At the same time, Chinese investors benefit from broader investment opportunities in RMB without dealing with cross-border currency conversions.

Wang reasoned that by tapping into these bonds, Nigeria stood to gain an additional stream of revenue that would support key infrastructure endeavours such as railway modernisation, with safety ensured through targeted financial backing.

He noted, “The currency swap agreement shows how well we have carried out our financial cooperation and sustained its momentum. Regarding Nigeria’s wish to increase the line of the currency swap, we will favourably study and consider the issue.

“Our cooperation is going well in many ways in terms of finance. For instance, we welcome the Panda bonds to be issued. We welcome Nigeria to issue Panda bonds in China because we have complete confidence in Nigeria’s credibility.

“By issuing Panda bonds, Nigeria will gain good revenue and safety is guaranteed through financial support; we are working to contribute to Nigeria’s infrastructure development, particularly the railway.”

Furthermore, he lauded Chinese banks for their recent financial contribution to Phase III of Nigeria’s railway modernisation project, noting it as a tangible example of ongoing cooperation.

He also encouraged interested parties to consult the Chinese Embassy for a comprehensive list of joint initiatives.

Underscoring the breadth and depth of economic collaboration, Wang expressed eagerness for even closer ties, positioning the currency swap arrangement as a central pillar in the growing partnership between China and Nigeria.

“Just a few days ago, Chinese banks supported, through financial funds, the building of phase three of the railway modernisation project, and it has been delivered.

“So there are many details that are taking place between our cooperation, and I advise you to go to the Chinese Embassy for the detailed list. Overall, our cooperation is comprehensive, and we would Like to boost it further,” he stated.

Wang’s visit follows last year’s elevation of China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership aimed at strengthening trade, agriculture, finance, and mutual prosperity.”