The Federal Government has assured Nigerians living in Angola that ongoing efforts to strengthen national security and revive the economy will yield positive results, as it moves to tackle insecurity and the spillover effects of instability in the Sahel region.

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), gave the assurance during an engagement with members of the Nigerian community in Luanda, Angola, held on the sidelines of the 21st Extra-ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

According to a statement issued by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Musa acknowledged the security challenges confronting the country, noting that instability in the Sahel had continued to have cross-border implications for Nigeria.

He said the Federal Government was taking comprehensive measures to strengthen the nation’s borders and prevent security threats and incursions, adding that efforts were also underway to enhance the manpower, equipment and operational capacity of the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

Musa, according to the statement signed by NiDCOM’s Director, Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, assured the diaspora community that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to defeating security threats across the country.

Also speaking at the engagement, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the country’s economic outlook was improving, assuring Nigerians abroad that the government’s reforms were yielding progress. “Nigeria is growing, the economy is growing and Nigeria is on the path of full recovery,” he said.

Tunji-Ojo also promised to look into the request by Nigerians in Angola for the establishment of a Nigerian passport production centre in the country, saying the initiative would help ease access to passport services for Nigerians resident there.

The engagement, coordinated by the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, also provided an avenue for the Nigerian community to present its concerns, including healthcare challenges and difficulties accessing passport and consular services. Speaking on behalf of the community, the Secretary of the Nigeria Community Association in Angola, Nnaemeka Francis Obi, commended the initiative and called for greater attention to the welfare of Nigerians in the diaspora.