By Jeremy Fregene
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has charged the leadership of the Nigerian Army to go beyond operational experience and continuously evolve new strategies in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other criminal threats confronting the country.
Speaking on Monday at the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2025 held at Nebo Hall, Abalti Barracks, Lagos State, Musa said while the operational capacity of terrorist groups, bandits, and other criminal elements had been significantly degraded across multiple theatres, the changing nature of security threats demanded constant innovation and adaptability.
Commending the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for his extensive operational experience, particularly in the North-East, the defence minister stressed that experience alone could not deliver decisive victory against enemies of the state.
“However, experience alone is not enough; we must continually ask ourselves what more can be done differently to decisively defeat enemies of the state,” Musa said. “We must evolve new strategies and remain proactive, innovative, and resolute.”
He assured that the Ministry of Defence would continue to strengthen institutional frameworks that promote accountability, effectiveness, and professionalism across the armed forces.
Musa also paid tribute to fallen soldiers who paid the supreme price in defence of the nation, describing their courage as a source of enduring inspiration for the military and the country at large. He recognised the families of late former Chiefs of Army Staff, including Lt.-Gen. and Brig.-Gen. Uba, as well as other personnel who had made sacrifices in the line of duty.
He further acknowledged wounded soldiers and their families, noting that they bear lasting physical, emotional, and psychological burdens as a result of service to the nation. According to him, their welfare, medical care, and long-term support remained a “sacred obligation” that must be upheld without compromise.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said there could be no enduring development without security, and no security without a capable, disciplined, and professional military. He noted that the Nigerian Army was operating in an era marked by complex and evolving threats, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and transnational crime.
Sanwo-Olu said confronting these challenges required intelligence-led operations, adaptability, and strong inter-agency collaboration, adding that the Army had shown encouraging signs of institutional evolution.
He commended the ongoing restructuring and modernisation of the Army, including the introduction of new platforms, improved training doctrine, and a renewed emphasis on professionalism, describing these efforts as evidence of a force deliberately repositioning itself to meet the demands of a modern, constitutionally guided military.
The governor also praised Lt.-Gen. Shaibu for providing purposeful leadership and strategic direction, and acknowledged the role of the Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army in maintaining peace and stability in Lagos State through sustained operations, joint security initiatives, and strong civil-military relations.
Sanwo-Olu said the link between security and development was fundamental, noting that economic activities thrived because stability was assured, even if the role of security institutions often went unseen. He stressed that the true strength of the Army lay not only in its firepower but also in its professionalism and respect for constitutional authority, values he said were essential for public trust and democratic stability.
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff said the annual conference provided a vital platform for strategic reflection, robust engagement, and the exchange of ideas aimed at strengthening civil-military relations and deepening inter-agency collaboration.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army was deliberately transforming into a more professional, adaptive, and technology-driven force capable of responding effectively to both conventional and asymmetric threats. He expressed confidence that Nigerians would soon feel the positive impact of ongoing reforms on national security and stability.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his sustained commitment to the welfare, professionalism, and operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces, noting that support in areas such as personnel welfare, equipment modernisation, training, and institutional reforms had significantly strengthened the military’s capacity to address current and emerging security challenges.
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