A historic African Chiefs of Defence Summit opened in Abuja today, with military leaders from across the continent declaring a united resolve to confront the rising tide of insecurity threatening Africa’s stability.
Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) set the tone for the deliberations, urging defence chiefs to “rise above division, embrace unity, and take ownership of Africa’s security destiny.”
He warned that Africa faces an evolving security landscape shaped by terrorism, violent extremism, cyber warfare, organized crime, piracy, and climate-induced conflicts. “The threats before us recognize no borders. Our response must be proactive, collaborative and technology-driven,” he declared.
The summit, themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Defence Collaboration,” is the first of its kind on the we continent and seeks to chart a path toward stronger military cooperation, intelligence sharing, and indigenous defence innovation.
Highlighting Nigeria’s contributions to peacekeeping and counterterrorism across Africa, the CDS called for investment in homegrown solutions. “True security will not be imported. It must be Africa in origin, Africa in design, and Africa in purpose,” he stressed.
In honour of soldiers and citizens who sacrificed their lives in defence of peace, delegates observed a minute of silence.
The CDS praised President Tinubu for his leadership and commended ECOWAS, the AU, the UN, and global partners for supporting the initiative.
He closed with a rallying call: “Africa is ready to speak with one voice. Let us build trust, strengthen collaboration, and secure our continent for generations to come.”