The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Monday hosted the Induction and Orientation Programme for members of the Military Staff Committee (MSC) of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) in Abuja, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to advancing peace, security and stability across the African continent.
Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, disclosed this in a press statement, noting that the two-day strategic programme brings together delegates from member states of the AU Peace and Security Council to strengthen the continent’s collective security framework.
Declaring the programme open on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, the Director of Search and Rescue, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, welcomed participants to Abuja and conveyed the appreciation of the CDS to the African Union Commission for selecting Nigeria to host the strategic capacity-building retreat.
He reiterated the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to strengthening Africa’s collective security architecture through enhanced military cooperation and strategic partnerships.
According to the CDS, Africa continues to face increasingly complex and evolving security challenges, including terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, maritime insecurity, cyber threats and humanitarian crises, all of which require coordinated continental responses.
He noted that the Military Staff Committee, as the principal military advisory body to the AU Peace and Security Council, plays a critical role in providing professional military advice and strategic assessments that support informed decision-making on conflict prevention, crisis response and peace support operations across the continent.
Earlier, the Head of the Peace and Security Council Secretariat of the African Union Commission, Ms. Neama Chusi, described the Military Staff Committee as the only subsidiary organ specifically established under the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council.
She emphasised that the Committee remains indispensable in providing military perspectives that complement diplomatic efforts in conflict prevention, conflict management and conflict resolution across Africa. She urged participants to actively engage in discussions, share experiences and contribute towards strengthening the effectiveness of the Committee.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Military Staff Committee, Brigadier General Abubakar Conteh, highlighted the Committee’s growing relevance amid Africa’s rapidly evolving security landscape.
He observed that emerging threats such as terrorism, unconstitutional changes of government, organised crime, climate-related security risks and cyber threats require sound military advice, stronger institutional capacity and enhanced collaboration among AU member states.
According to him, the induction programme provides an important platform for strengthening institutional knowledge, promoting cooperation and improving the Committee’s ability to provide timely, objective and professional military advice to the Peace and Security Council.
The two-day induction programme features presentations, interactive discussions, practical exercises and experience-sharing sessions aimed at familiarising newly appointed and returning members with the Committee’s mandate, operational procedures and working methods, while fostering stronger collaboration among member states in addressing Africa’s security challenges.
