The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, says the Armed Forces of Nigeria are reinforcing their joint operational structures to stay ahead of evolving security threats confronting the nation.
The CDS made this known during the opening ceremony of the NISECEXPO–DICON International Defence and Security Show in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, where he commended the Nigeria International Security Conference and Exhibition (NISEC) and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) for sustaining a platform that showcases Nigeria’s growing indigenous capacity in defence technology and production.
General Oluyede revealed that key reforms underway include the establishment of a Permanent Joint Theatre Command to replace ad hoc task forces with more enduring and coordinated structures across operational environments.
He added that “the review of the 2017 Joint Structure is being finalised to reflect modern realities and global best practices”.
The CDS also highlighted the recent creation of a Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre, tasked with driving joint doctrine development, joint training and harmonised operational concepts.
Additionally, he said “the military is planning integrated command centres to boost unified situational awareness, facilitate quicker decision-making, and improve coordination across land, air, maritime, cyber, and information domains”.
General Oluyede stressed that global conflicts are increasingly dominated by robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and unmanned platforms, and Nigeria must ensure it is not left behind.
He cited ongoing efforts to strengthen the nation’s cyber posture and space capabilities in collaboration with relevant agencies, including the Defence Space Administration.
He emphasised that security is now a collective responsibility that extends beyond the military.
While noting that future defence readiness requires whole-of-government and whole-of-society collaboration, the CDS reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to enhancing operational endurance and force build-up capabilities in line with the theme of the 2025 expo, “Future Wars: Operational Endurance and Force Build-Up Capacities.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria International Security Conference and Exhibition (NISEC), Frank Ohwofs, JP, expressed strong confidence in Nigeria’s growing defence capabilities, noting that innovations showcased at this year’s exhibition will significantly boost the country’s response to modern security challenges.
He added that “the event is expected to result in new partnerships and cooperation agreements that will further support indigenous defence development in line with national priorities.”
He declared that Nigeria has more than enough capacity to solve its own security problems, citing the Armed Forces’ excellence in United Nations and regional missions as proof of their professionalism and leadership on the global stage.
According to him, with the continued adoption of innovative technologies, Nigeria will remain a strong contributor to international peace and security.