Nigeria and the United Nations (UN) will strengthen collaboration on border policing across West Africa to tackle transnational security threats, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the UN, Jimoh Ibrahim, has said.

Mr Ibrahim disclosed this on Wednesday after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the president had directed immediate engagement with the UN to support efforts aimed at improving border security across the sub-region.

“The president is going to put a lot of effort into West Africa border policing. He gave specific directives on what to do immediately,” Mr Ibrahim said.

He described the region’s porous borders as a major security challenge requiring stronger international cooperation.

“I will be going back to the UN to ensure that West Africa is taken as a case study for border policing so that our security is well guaranteed,” he said.

The envoy expressed confidence that the UN would support Nigeria’s initiative to strengthen regional border security.

“The UN will give support in respect of West Africa border policing. These are the kind of issues the UN was established to address,” he added.

Mr Ibrahim also confirmed that Mr Tinubu had accepted an invitation to attend the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September.

According to him, Mr Tinubu will address world leaders on his administration’s reform agenda and participate in high-level meetings on energy, education, and healthcare.

“The president has graciously agreed to attend the UNGA meeting. He has a speech to deliver to the world on Nigeria’s reform success,” he said.

The ambassador said discussions also focused on limiting the president’s schedule to priority engagements during the Assembly.

On whether Mr Tinubu would meet U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UNGA, Mr Ibrahim declined to comment.

He, however, said Mr Tinubu would occupy a front-row seat during the General Assembly and deliver his address at a time convenient for audiences in Nigeria. 

(NAN)