Calls for Permanent Forum of Defence Chiefs to Tackle Terrorism, Cybercrime, and Transnational Threats
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on African nations to forge a new defence doctrine anchored on trust, intelligence sharing, and coordinated military strategies to combat terrorism, cybercrime, piracy, and other transnational crimes threatening the continent.
Declaring open the maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit 2025 in Abuja on Monday, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized the urgency of collective action, warning that Africa can no longer afford fragmented responses to borderless threats.
“From the deserts where insurgency festers to the high seas where piracy prowls, from the silent corridors of cybercrime to ruthless networks of transnational criminals, none of these tragedies respects borders, and neither should our response,” he said.
The Nigerian leader urged the establishment of a Permanent African Chiefs of Defence Staff Forum, which would serve as a standing platform for continuous dialogue, joint training, harmonised doctrines, and coordinated continental military operations.
“This summit must not end with ovations,” Tinubu declared. “We must institutionalise unity and make it the cornerstone of Africa’s security architecture.”
Acknowledging that modern threats are increasingly asymmetric and digital, Tinubu stressed the need for Africa to invest in cyber defence, artificial intelligence, and indigenous military innovations. He urged military leaders to partner with the private sector to develop homegrown defence technologies rather than relying solely on foreign imports.
“Africa cannot remain merely a consumer of technology; we must be creators, innovators, and owners of the tools that secure our tomorrow,” he said.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s traditional role in regional peacekeeping, counterterrorism operations, and humanitarian missions, Tinubu said the country remains committed to being a “good neighbour and brother’s keeper” in the pursuit of continental peace. He dedicated a moment to honour fallen soldiers, stating that their sacrifices must be preserved in the institutions and values Africa builds.
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, represented by Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawale, described the summit as a historic step toward building African-driven security solutions.
Deputy UN Secretary-General Amina Mohammed lauded the summit as the dawn of a new era in African security cooperation, stressing that “we cannot afford to be bystanders” in the face of emerging threats.
Similarly, ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, represented by Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, said the summit aligns with President Tinubu’s vision of a robust continental security framework, noting that no region of Africa is spared from insecurity.
Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, urged African militaries to take the lead in organizing forces, investing in cyber defence, and developing indigenous technologies.
Former Nigerian diplomat Prof. Ibrahim Gambari applauded Tinubu’s leadership in convening the summit, emphasizing the importance of synergy in military coordination and intelligence sharing.
From the private sector, NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bashir Ojulari, highlighted Nigeria’s improved energy security due to military collaboration in curbing crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, calling it proof that coordinated action delivers tangible results. The high-level event drew defence chiefs from across Africa, alongside Nigerian legislators, foreign diplomats, and international partners.
0 Comments