Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 12
12
Nigeria’s security matters to the UK.
Recommendation
Nigeria’s security matters to the UK. Evidence described four significant security situations which make daily life in many parts of the country dangerous and sap the resources of the security services. Some of these crises, we heard, have the potential to threaten the very existence of the Nigerian state. These crises exacerbate levels of unregulated migration to the UK, the risks of doing business in Nigeria and the conditions in which international terrorism can be fomented. We recognise the importance of integrating diplomacy, aid and trade, as well as tangible military support, in addressing these issues. We recommend continued, highly focused, support to the Nigerian military in tackling Islamist groups and armed organised criminal groups whilst maintaining the highest standards of human rights. We recommend that this effort continues to go hand-in-hand with targeted overseas development assistance and investment to tackle the underlying causes of the conflict. (Paragraph 36) Building resilience at home and overseas
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We agree with this recommendation, which is a continuation of current work streams, and is in line with the commitments the UK Government made at the Security and Defence Partnership dialogue in February 2022. Under our Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Lake Chad Basin programme, HMG is providing training and capacity building support for the Nigerian military. This aims to increase operational and strategic capability to contain the crisis in the Lake Chad Basin region, and create space for political settlement, stabilisation and longer-term recovery. The training and capacity-building provided is designed to bolster Nigeria’s efforts to respond to terrorism, alongside improving understanding of international humanitarian law and human rights, including on the issue of sexual and gender-based violence. We agree that efforts to respond to conflict should go hand-in-hand with efforts to address the underlying causes of conflict. Through our programming we are: directly supporting conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts; promoting inclusive and accountable governance; helping support rural livelihoods and access to basic services; and supporting social protection for the poorest. We also continue to support humanitarian responses. Additionally, we are supporting efforts to build stabilisation and fostering a long-term settlement in the Lake Chad Basin. Collectively, this suite of programming aims to address the long-term root causes of conflict in addition to deescalating and reducing levels of violence in the shorter-term, to allow for longer-term engagement.