President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on African nations to forge stronger bonds of cooperation in order to confront the continent’s growing security challenges, including terrorism, cybercrime, piracy, and transnational criminal networks.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the maiden edition of the African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit 2025 in Abuja, President Tinubu urged military leaders to fashion out a new continental defence doctrine anchored on trust, shared intelligence, and coordinated action.
“The scale of threats on the continent demands a united response,” he declared. “From the deserts where insurgency festers, to the high seas where piracy prowls, from the silent corridors of cybercrime to the ruthless networks of transnational criminals, none of these tragedies respects borders. Neither should our response.”
Tinubu emphasised that Africa’s shared geography and destiny require a mutual defence posture, likening the continent to a family bound by common responsibility. “In this family, defence is the first expression of love each member can promise the other,” he said.
To strengthen collaboration, the President proposed the establishment of a permanent African Chiefs of Defence Staff Forum as a standing platform for continuous dialogue, joint planning, and operational coordination. He stressed that the summit must not end with ceremonial speeches but evolve into a cornerstone of Africa’s new security architecture.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to regional peace, Tinubu highlighted the country’s role in peacekeeping missions, counterterrorism operations, and humanitarian interventions across Africa. He challenged nations to invest in cyber defence, artificial intelligence, and indigenous military innovation, stressing that Africa must transition from being consumers to becoming creators and owners of critical security technologies.
“Africa cannot remain merely a consumer of technology; we must be creators, innovators, and owners of the tools that secure our tomorrow,” he said, while calling for deeper partnerships with the private sector to drive investment in defence innovation and capacity building.
Paying tribute to fallen African soldiers, the President said their sacrifices must not be in vain, insisting that their legacies should be honoured by building strong institutions, values, and alliances that guarantee the safety of future generations.