African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit: President Tinubu, CDS General Musa Declare Africa is Ready to Take Ownership of Security Narrative

 

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (OFR), has declared that Africa must take ownership of its security narrative, stressing that only a united, strategic, and collaborative approach can overcome the continent’s multifaceted threats

General Musa made the statement on Monday, August 25, 2025, while delivering his welcome remarks at the historic inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit (ACDSS), held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, between August 25–27, 2025

The summit, themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration,” brought together Defence Chiefs from across the continent, representatives of the African Union (AU), ECOWAS, international partners, and development agencies.

Welcoming the participants, General Musa extended warm greetings on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Nigerian people. He described the summit as “a powerful testament to our shared commitment to a more peaceful and secure Africa.”

According to the CDS, Africa stands at a crossroads — blessed with a vibrant youth population, abundant natural resources, and innovation, but also challenged by violent extremism, terrorism, transnational crime, piracy, and the destabilizing impacts of climate change on conflict. “These challenges recognize no borders. They are hydra-headed, resilient, and demand a response that is equally dynamic, unified, and strategic,” he emphasized.

General Musa underscored that the summit offers a unique opportunity for African militaries to harmonize doctrines, strengthen interoperability, and build enduring trust. He urged Defence leaders to seize the moment to design “a new architecture of African-led security cooperation.”

As host nation, Nigeria, he said, remains deeply committed to regional stability and continental defence integration. He highlighted Nigeria’s long-standing contributions to peacekeeping operations, counterterrorism efforts, and humanitarian interventions across Africa. “True security is not achieved in isolation. It is built through shared intelligence, joint training, and coordinated action,” he stressed.

On emerging threats, General Musa noted that the battlefield has evolved beyond conventional warfare to include digital and asymmetric dimensions. He called on Defence Chiefs to modernize their forces, invest in cyber defence, artificial intelligence, and indigenous military technology, while advocating for the establishment of an African-owned defence industrial base.

He further emphasized the need to consolidate on the foundations laid by ECOWAS, the African Union Peace and Security Architecture, and other regional mechanisms. “We must now build upon this foundation with greater resolve. We must be the architects of our own security and destiny,” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Special Guest of Honour, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, described the summit as a turning point for Africa’s collective security. “This gathering proves that Africa is ready to provide African solutions to African problems. The threats we face are shared, and so must be our responses. Nigeria will continue to champion integration and collaboration, because our future depends on it,” he said.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, Amina Mohammed, noted that the gathering marked the birth of a new era in African security cooperation, necessitating a united approach to tackle emerging threats.

“We cannot afford to be bystanders,” she stressed, while calling on military authorities to be proactive in view of new technologies explored by terror groups.

Also speaking, President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, commended Nigeria for hosting the landmark summit and stressed that no single nation can overcome Africa’s threats in isolation. “From the Sahel to the Gulf of Guinea, instability has a ripple effect. What affects one affects all. This summit is therefore not just timely, it is urgent. ECOWAS stands ready to align its security initiatives with the outcomes of this meeting,” he said.

The CDS also paid tribute to fallen soldiers across Africa, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices should inspire the creation of strong, just, and accountable defence institutions.

He further expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his dynamic leadership and unwavering support to Nigeria’s Armed Forces, crediting him for making the summit possible. He also thanked regional institutions, international partners, development agencies, and the private sector for their technical and strategic contributions to the event.

Addressing his counterparts from across the continent, he declared: “Your presence here in Abuja has sent a powerful message — that Africa is ready to take ownership of its security narrative. Together, let us stand in defence of Africa. Together, let us secure our future.”

Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru represented by Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawale  said the summit hosted by Nigeria was historic and a bold statement of collective commitment of African nations towards ensuring a safer continent.

He highlighted challenges across the world and emphasised the need for African-driven solutions and advocated strong partnerships in order to address the security challenges bedeviling the continent.

SpyeTV News reports that the three-day summit is expected to produce a joint communiqué outlining key areas of collaboration, including:

- Establishment of an African Defence Collaboration Framework to harmonize doctrines, enhance interoperability, and foster intelligence sharing among member states.

- Commitment to invest in cyber security and indigenous defence technologies as part of a long-term strategy to modernize African militaries.

- Strengthening of continental peacekeeping capacity, with emphasis on rapid deployment forces to respond to crises before they escalate.

- Promotion of joint military training and exercises across regional blocs to boost synergy and readiness.

- Creation of pathways for private sector involvement in Africa’s defence-industrial base, ensuring sustainability and self-reliance.

With Abuja as host, the inaugural summit has set the stage for future gatherings where African Defence Chiefs will routinely deliberate, review, and update strategies for addressing threats in an ever-changing security environment.