By Muhammad Mamman
Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola (retd), former Commander of Operation Safe Haven, has hailed the nomination of former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, as Minister of Defence, saying it offers Nigeria a rare opportunity to overhaul its military procurement system and strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
Speaking on Musa’s elevation to the federal cabinet, Ayoola said the ex-CDS is now strategically placed to design a more transparent, efficient, and forward-looking process for acquiring military platforms and defence systems.
“Now that he’s the Minister of Defence, he can sit down and craft a process and procedure that is almost fool-proof, one that will help the military to acquire platforms and systems based on thorough planning,” Ayoola stated.
The retired general noted that Musa’s operational background, coupled with his experience leading the Armed Forces, positions him to introduce reforms that address long-standing gaps in defence procurement, improve accountability, and enhance battlefield readiness.
Ayoola added that with well-structured procedures, Nigeria can better anticipate security threats, prioritise equipment needs, and avoid the delays and inefficiencies that have historically undermined counter-insurgency efforts.
He expressed optimism that Musa’s leadership at the Defence Ministry will translate into stronger inter-service coordination, improved resource utilisation, and more robust strategies to tackle terrorism, banditry, and other emerging security challenges.
According to him, “This is an opportunity for the Armed Forces to finally anchor procurement on strategic planning and long-term capability development.”
Ayoola urged the incoming minister to ensure that reforms are institutionalised, so that future administrations and military commands can build on a system designed to strengthen national security sustainably.
