Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has declared that no single security service or individual can effectively combat the country’s multifaceted security challenges, emphasising the need for unified, collaborative efforts across all agencies. Speaking at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2025 on Monday at Nebo Hall, Abalti Barracks in Lagos, Musa highlighted significant progress in degrading the capabilities of terrorists, bandits, and other criminals but framed interdependence as the cornerstone of sustained success.
“The reality remains that no single service, institution or individual can address today’s security challenges alone,” he stated. He argued that future victories depend entirely on “unity of effort, joint operations, intelligence sharing, coordinated planning and close collaboration among security agencies.” The minister praised the Nigerian Army’s courage and improved execution, particularly the impact of joint multi-agency operations, while concurrently stressing the critical human aspect of military service. He paid solemn tribute to fallen heroes and their families, describing personnel welfare as a “sacred obligation.”
Musa commended the current Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for his operational experience and leadership but issued a clear call for innovation, urging forces to evolve. “We must evolve new strategies and remain proactive, innovative and resolute,” he said. He reaffirmed that security is a core pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging the government’s continued commitment to policy support, capability development, and institutional reforms.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also present at the conference, echoed the minister’s sentiments on the necessity of inter-agency cooperation amid evolving threats like terrorism and transnational crime. He lauded the Army’s modernisation efforts, which include acquiring new platforms and updating training doctrines, and pledged ongoing state support for military initiatives.
In his address, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu described the conference as a vital platform for strategic reflection and enhancing civil-military ties. He outlined the Army’s ongoing transformation into a more adaptive, technology-driven force and thanked President Tinubu for prioritising troop welfare and operational effectiveness.
The conference and the minister’s central message arrive as Nigeria continues to grapple with persistent security threats, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and separatist agitation in the South-East.
