Nigeria repositions for sustainable security amid global fragility- CDS Musa
By Ibukun Emiola
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says Nigeria is charting new strategic solutions to strengthen national security amid growing global fragility.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Musa stated this on Thursday while delivering the First Distinguished Personalities Lecture of the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Security Management (TECESM), University of Ibadan.
According to him, Nigeria is shifting towards sustainable and multi-layered security management in response to transnational threats such as terrorism, cybercrime, and climate-induced migration.
“We are enhancing our security architecture with novel innovations that draw from community resilience, technology, and regional collaboration,” Musa said.
He said that Nigeria’s new security approach was rooted in four major pillars: stronger institutions, economic empowerment, local resilience, and global partnerships.
The CDS said that efforts were underway to reinforce democratic institutions, promote inter-agency cooperation and modernise the armed forces for rapid threat response.
“Strong institutions form the bedrock of sustainable security, effective governance and national stability,” he said.
Musa called for border fencing and the deployment of technological sensors among measures to curb the influx of illicit arms and extremist movements across Nigeria’s 4000 kilometres porous borders.
He underscored the need to tackle youth vulnerability to crime and extremism.
Musa said that the government needs to do more in expanding vocational training, supporting startups, and investing in agriculture to generate jobs in rural areas.
“We must empower our youths through affordable education, healthcare and meaningful economic opportunities,” Musa said.
The defence chief also highlighted Nigeria’s Whole-of-Society approach, where security agencies work closely with local communities, civil society and traditional institutions to build trust and gather intelligence.
He said that communities were being equipped to serve as first responders to non-traditional threats like pandemics and environmental disasters.
On the global front, Musa called for stronger partnerships with multilateral institutions and development actors to jointly address terrorism, cyber insecurity and climate change.
“Broadened global cooperation is crucial to addressing the root causes of insecurity and building resilience against fragility,” he said.
Musa reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, while adapting to the changing nature of global threats.
The chief of defence said that solving Nigeria’s security challenges requires an all-of-society approach, urging every citizen to take responsibility, support the military and government, and foster unity.
He stressed the importance of loving the nation and one another, adding that Nigeria’s problems are best solved by Nigerians themselves.
The Chairman of the occasion and former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. -Gen. Tukur Buratai, whose address was delivered by retired Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, emphasised that these challenges were worsened by governance weaknesses, institutional failures, and corruption.
He called for a holistic, multi-sectoral approach to security management—one that includes governance reforms, enhanced professionalism in the security sector, and socio-economic development.
Buratai also advocated for improved training, equipment, and border security to combat the flow of illicit arms and goods.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor (VC) University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, emphasised the importance of partnerships between academia and the security sector in tackling Nigeria’s complex security landscape.
Adebowale said that this would be helpful particularly in the face of terrorism, banditry, and other threats.
He lauded the CDS for sharing insights and real-world experiences, which, according to him, will enrich academic discourse and policy formulation.
The VC reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting TECESM’s mission and contributing meaningfully to national peace and development.
Earlier in his address, the Acting Director, TECESM, Dr Benjamin Aluko, said that the lecture was the first under the centre’s new name and refined focus on Security Management and Early Warning Systems.
Aluko assured the CDS of the centre’s full intellectual support in advancing national security goals.
The highpoint of the event was the conferment of the award of first Fellow of the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Security Management on Musa. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bayo Sekoni
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