By Muhammad Mamman
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has urged African militaries to forge stronger alliances in cyber defence, counterterrorism, and intelligence-sharing in order to confront the continent’s rapidly evolving security challenges.
Speaking at the opening of the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja on Monday, Gen. Musa warned that terrorism, transnational organised crime, piracy, and climate-driven conflicts were becoming increasingly complex, while cyber warfare and artificial intelligence were redefining the modern battlefield.
“The threats facing us are borderless, asymmetric, and digital. Africa must respond with unity, shared intelligence, and coordinated operations,” he declared.
Gen. Musa emphasised that no nation could stand alone in the face of such multifaceted dangers. He stressed the need for African defence cooperation to go beyond dialogue, calling for concrete operational frameworks and the development of an indigenous defence-industrial base on the continent.
Highlighting Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and humanitarian missions, he reaffirmed the country’s readiness to work with regional partners to bolster interoperability and resilience.
“The sacrifices of our fallen heroes should inspire us to build Armed Forces that are not only formidable, but also accountable and people-centred,” he added.
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, represented by the Minister of State, Bello Matawalle, commended Gen. Musa for his “exceptional leadership” in convening the historic summit. He described the gathering as a milestone in African defence diplomacy, underscoring the continent’s shared determination to strengthen regional cooperation and enhance collective security.
The Minister also praised President Bola Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his steadfast leadership and unwavering support for Nigeria’s military.
“The success of this summit reflects professionalism, commitment, and unity across Africa’s defence institutions,” he said, urging participants to sustain the momentum towards building a continent defined by peace, pride, and progress.
