By Bavoriat Clara
The African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit is a historic gathering convened to foster greater military cooperation among African nations in the face of complex and evolving security challenges.
It was conceived against the backdrop of persistent violent extremism, terrorism, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, transnational organised crime, cyber threats, and the destabilising effects of climate change that have continued to threaten regional peace and development.
For decades, Africa’s security response has often relied on fragmented national efforts or international interventions.
This approach mirrors successful defence collaborations in other parts of the world. In Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has, for over seven decades, provided collective defence against external threats, serving as a platform for intelligence sharing, joint training, and technological innovation.
Similarly, in South America, mechanisms like the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) Defence Council have worked to harmonise defence policies among member states. In Asia, regional security dialogues and joint exercises such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) continue to foster collaboration among countries in counterterrorism, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance.
While platforms such as the African Union’s Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and ECOWAS standby arrangements have provided useful frameworks, experts and policymakers have repeatedly called for a more robust African-led and African-owned mechanism for defence collaboration.
The inaugural summit, held in Abuja on 25 August 2025, represents the first of its kind at the continental level, bringing together defence chiefs, military strategists, policymakers, and international partners to harmonise doctrines, strengthen interoperability, and chart a new course for continental defence integration. Nigeria, with its history of peacekeeping contributions and regional leadership, offered to host this maiden edition, signalling its commitment to strengthening Africa’s collective security architecture.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has urged African military leaders to forge a united front in combating the growing spectrum of security threats that continue to undermine peace and stability across the continent.
General Musa made the call in Abuja at the Inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit, declaring that Africa stands at a defining moment endowed with youthful energy and vast resources but equally besieged by terrorism, violent extremism, piracy, transnational organised crime, and cyber insecurity.
“These threats know no borders; they are hydra-headed, complex, and dynamic. They demand a response that is unified, strategic, and African-led,” the CDS said.
He emphasised the urgent need for Africa to modernise its armed forces through investments in cyber defence, artificial intelligence, indigenous military technology, and the establishment of a continental defence industrial base that is “African in origin, African in design, and African in purpose.
General Musa while appreciating the Commander-in-Chief the Armed Forces President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was represented by the vice president Kashim Shettima for his unwavering support to thw military, warmly welcomed participants, describing their presence as a powerful signal of Africa’s shared resolve for peace and security.
The CDS also led participants in observing a minute of silence for fallen soldiers and civilians who had paid the ultimate price in the defence of peace, urging leaders to build institutions that are both strong and accountable.
The summit attracted dignitaries including the Senate President, members of the National Assembly, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed, the Chairperson of the African Union, ECOWAS leadership, ministers, service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, senior officers, captains of industry, members of the diplomatic corps, and defence chiefs from across Africa.
General Musa concluded with a rallying call for unity: “Together, let us stand in defence of Africa. Together, let us secure our future.
The Abuja summit is expected to serve as the foundation for deeper defence collaboration, stronger regional partnerships, and a truly African-led security framework to address contemporary challenges.
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