Defence Chief Oluyede Urges United Front Against Terrorism Across Africa
Nigeria Strengthens Regional Security Drive as Oluyede Addresses African Defence Conference
Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening military cooperation with African nations and international partners, with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, calling for a more coordinated continental response to terrorism and other transnational security threats.
Oluyede made the call while leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 2026 African Chiefs of Defence Conference (ACHOD), held in Luanda from June 30 to July 2.
The conference, jointly organised by the United States Africa Command and the Angolan Armed Forces, brought together defence chiefs and senior military leaders from across Africa and international partners to assess the continent’s evolving security landscape and strengthen collective responses to emerging threats.
Discussions focused on terrorism, cross-border crime, disinformation campaigns, the growing use of emerging technologies such as drones in warfare, and the role of innovation and economic development in fostering long-term peace and stability.
Addressing participants, Oluyede stressed that Africa must adopt a unified approach to confront increasingly complex security challenges.
According to him, the continent must build “a resilient and adaptive security architecture capable of responding to current and emerging threats to secure Africa’s future.”
He said achieving this would require enhanced intelligence sharing, stronger border security coordination, reforms to existing security structures, and sustained investment in defence partnerships.
The CDS also underscored the need to disrupt terrorist financing and dismantle external support networks that continue to fuel insecurity across Africa.
Drawing from Nigeria’s experience, Oluyede commended the defence partnership between Nigeria and the United States, noting that it has significantly enhanced the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and strengthened ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
He maintained that deeper collaboration between African militaries and trusted international partners remains critical to addressing security threats that transcend national borders.
On the sidelines of the conference, the defence chief held bilateral meetings with fellow chiefs of defence and strategic partners to discuss expanding military cooperation, intelligence sharing and other areas of mutual interest aimed at enhancing regional security.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reiterated the country’s commitment to working closely with neighbouring states and international allies through intelligence sharing, joint operations and strategic partnerships to combat violent extremism, terrorism, drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.
It added that Nigeria would continue to leverage platforms such as the African Chiefs of Defence Conference to deepen military cooperation, improve interoperability among partner nations and promote peace, security and stability across West Africa and the continent.
