The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has ordered military commanders to protect communities within their areas of responsibility to build trust and reverse the negative perception that the Nigerian military is an occupying force.
General Musa stated that historically, the relationship between the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the civilian population has, at times, been characterised by suspicion, fear, and mistrust.
Speaking at the Maiden Defence Headquarters Civil-Military Relations Conference 2025, the CDS stressed that this unfortunate legacy has often hampered the ability to effectively work together, particularly in times of crisis or national emergency.
According to him, “The military has been seen not as a partner in progress, but as an occupying force, alien to the people it is meant to serve and protect. Today, we must acknowledge that perception and commit ourselves to changing it. The reality is that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a constitutionally established institution, deeply rooted in democratic principles and accountable to the Nigerian people.”
Their mandate, he said, is to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country and support civil authority in ensuring peace, stability, and development.
He said the overarching goal of the conference is to win the hearts and minds of citizens and shift from a purely kinetic, force-based approach to one that prioritises trust-building, respect for human rights, and community partnership.
He stated that the theme of the conference, “Winning Hearts and Minds: Non-Kinetic Approaches to National Security,” encapsulates this new direction, stressing that it challenges the military to think beyond weapons and warfare.
“It calls us to invest in human security, to build resilient communities, and to reinforce the idea that every Nigerian, whether in uniform or not, has a stake in the peace and prosperity of our great nation,” he said.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, applauded the leadership of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for recognising the urgent need to bridge the widening gap between the military and the civilians they are sworn to protect.
Represented by Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, the Minister stressed that the conference is not just timely but essential.
He stated that the conference is a recognition that the military’s effectiveness and efficiency depend on the full ownership and participation of all Nigerians.
“The reality we face today is uncomfortable but undeniable: a trust deficit exists between the military and many segments of the Nigerian population. Civilians, in some quarters, perceive the Armed Forces not as partners in peace, but as a force of aggression, brutal, offensive, and distant. This perception, whether based on history, misinformation, or isolated incidents, poses a grave threat to national unity and stability,” he said.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, Rear Admiral Olusanya Abiodun Bankole, regretted the growing disconnect between the military and the civilian populations.
He stressed that the military remains committed to strengthening national cohesion, stating that the conference was convened to help change negative narratives about the Nigerian Armed Forces.