By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, has called for greater national cohesion and the strengthening of institutions to effectively address the growing threats posed by global instability.
He made the appeal during a landmark public lecture titled “Global Fragility and Security Management in Nigeria” held at the University of Ibadan on Thursday, 24th July 2025. The high-profile lecture attracted academics, defence personnel, policy experts, civil society leaders, and students, underscoring the national urgency of responding to complex security challenges.
In a statement released by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, General Musa delivered a detailed analysis of the intersection between global fragility and Nigeria’s internal security environment. He identified a dangerous convergence of terrorism, climate change, cyber warfare, and geopolitical instability, all of which continue to shape Nigeria’s security realities.
“The world is deeply interconnected. Fragility anywhere can cascade into insecurity everywhere,” General Musa warned, citing how the collapse of governance in Libya and escalating unrest in the Sahel region have led to a surge in arms trafficking and the spread of extremist ideologies that now threaten Nigeria’s internal peace.
He pointed to the environmental stress of the shrinking Lake Chad Basin, the impact of global economic disruptions like the Ukraine war, and the growing sophistication of cyber-attacks and foreign-sponsored disinformation campaigns as key drivers of national insecurity.
General Musa outlined Nigeria’s evolving security architecture anchored on the National Defence Policy and supported by a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach.
He emphasized the integration of civil institutions, communities, and international partners in building a coordinated response to these multi-dimensional threats.
He also highlighted some key areas of progress, including the use of cutting-edge technologies such as UAVs and Artificial Intelligence for intelligence-led operations, the deployment of community-led security efforts through traditional and local institutions, deepened regional cooperation through ECOWAS and the Multinational Joint Task Force, and the establishment of cyber commands to address digital threats.
Despite these strides, the CDS acknowledged that Nigeria still faces serious obstacles including porous borders, weak rural governance, foreign-imposed conditions on arms deals, and hostile media campaigns aimed at distorting public perception and weakening national resolve.
To build lasting national resilience, General Musa proposed four pillars of action: strengthening institutions such as the judiciary and democratic structures; promoting economic empowerment through youth engagement, agriculture, and enterprise; enhancing community resilience via trust-building and early warning systems; and expanding global partnerships, especially through intelligence-sharing and alignment with international best practices.
He called on Nigerian academic institutions to rise to the occasion by producing knowledge, shaping national consciousness, and driving innovation in security and governance.
“The University of Ibadan, as a beacon of intellectual leadership, must continue to lead the charge through research, dialogue, and the mentorship of future leaders,” he said.
General Musa reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ unwavering commitment to national defence and urged all Nigerians to recognize their role in securing the country.
“Security is not merely the absence of violence, but the presence of justice, opportunity, and hope,” he concluded, assuring the audience of his mandate from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to collaborate with all relevant institutions in confronting Nigeria’s security challenges.
The lecture was chaired by former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (Rtd), represented by Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun (Rtd). Other dignitaries in attendance included the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor K.O. Adebowale, the GOC 2 Division, Major General O.G. Onubogu, and several senior military officers both serving and retired.
A major highlight of the event was the conferment of a Fellowship of the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Security Management on General Musa in recognition of his leadership and contributions to national security strategy.
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