Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Interior has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the longstanding partnership built on mutual respect, shared interests, and nearly five decades of sustained cooperation. This was contained in a statement signed by Mary Ali (Mrs), Head, Press, and Public Relations.
Speaking during the engagement with the Saudi Arabia ambassador and his delegation, the Hon. Minister noted the rare presence of multiple Consuls General as a clear indication of the importance both countries attach to the relationship. He expressed optimism that the collaboration would continue to evolve, delivering greater value and reinforcing institutional ties, particularly between the respective ministries.
The Minister highlighted key areas of mutual interest, including border security, irregular migration management, and crisis response systems. He acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s advanced technological deployment along its borders and expressed Nigeria’s interest in learning from these systems through structured knowledge exchange and delegation visits.
He further identified the development of a National Internal Emergency Response System as a top priority, stressing the potential to leverage Saudi Arabia’s expertise in innovation, public safety, and coordinated emergency management to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
In his remarks, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Mr. Yousef bin Mohammed Al Barnawi reiterated his country’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Nigeria across critical sectors. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s experience in traffic management, civil defence, correctional services, and large-scale crowd control, particularly during Hajj and Ramadan operations.
The ambassador also underscored advancements in digital security and citizen engagement platforms, which enable real-time reporting and response to public safety concerns. Both parties expressed readiness to explore practical areas of collaboration, enhance institutional capacity, and sustain dialogue aimed at promoting security, stability, and shared prosperity.
END
