By ifeoma Onyekachi

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has outlined a new strategic direction for Nigeria’s military, placing border security and indigenous defence technology at the centre of the country’s future security architecture.

General Oluyede stated this while delivering his closing remarks at the inaugural lecture of the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre (JDWC) held on Tuesday. The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba.

The Defence Chief said the Armed Forces of Nigeria are entering a new phase of strategic military evolution focused on self-reliance, joint operations, and regional collaboration to tackle the country’s complex security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, piracy, and trans-border crimes.

According to him, the military is prioritising local defence production through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and partnerships with indigenous manufacturers as part of efforts to reduce reliance on foreign military equipment and improve operational efficiency.

He stressed that border security remains critical to Nigeria’s internal security, noting that many security threats such as arms smuggling, terrorism, and illegal migration are linked to porous borders. He therefore emphasised the need for stronger cooperation and intelligence sharing with neighbouring countries.

General Oluyede also highlighted the importance of joint military operations, noting that single-service operations by the Army, Navy, or Air Force alone may not achieve desired operational results without proper coordination and synergy.

He explained that modern warfare requires integrated operations where the Army, Navy, and Air Force work together using their respective strengths to achieve operational superiority.

The Defence Chief further disclosed that the recommendations from the inaugural lecture would be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to secure broader support for the implementation of the proposed defence strategies.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who was represented at the lecture, emphasised the importance of a “whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach” to national security. He noted that security is not the responsibility of the military alone but requires the cooperation of government institutions and citizens.

He described the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre, established in July 2025, as the intellectual and strategic hub of the Armed Forces where military doctrines, joint strategies, and warfare concepts are developed to improve coordination among the services.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director-General of the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre, Major General AE Edet, said the Centre has made significant progress within six months of its establishment, including developing operational roadmaps and strategic frameworks aimed at strengthening joint military operations, innovation, and defence technology.

He assured that the Centre would continue to focus on technology, innovation, and strategic planning to enhance Nigeria’s national security and defence capabilities.

The inaugural lecture was attended by Service Chiefs, former Chiefs of Defence Staff led by General Alani Akinrinade, senior military officers, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies, and other stakeholders in the security sector.

The event is considered a major step toward institutionalising joint military doctrine, strengthening defence coordination, and building a more collaborative national security framework to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.