Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, has called on African countries to break their dependence on foreign military equipment and strengthen indigenous defence industries as well as unite against terrorism and transnational crimes threatening the continent.
Speaking during a strategic engagement with African Ministers of Defence and Chiefs of Defence Staff at the Africa International Defence Exhibition and Conference (AFRIDEX 2026) in Lagos, Gen. Musa said that Africa should transition from being a theatre of competing geopolitical interests to becoming an influential actor capable of shaping global security decisions.
He said that the continent could achieve this through strategic autonomy, collective security arrangements and mutually beneficial international partnerships that respected national sovereignty.
“Africa must move beyond being a theatre of competing geopolitical interests to becoming an influential actor in shaping global security decisions,” he said.
The Nigerian minister stressed that defence partnerships should reflect African priorities rather than perpetuate strategic dependence or undermine the sovereignty of individual countries.
He noted that growing geopolitical competition, external interference and shifting international security alliances had made it imperative for African nations to develop a common position on continental security.
Musa therefore called for stronger African representation in global security decision-making and greater coordination among continental, regional and national defence institutions.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the African Union Peace and Security Architecture as a framework for addressing the continent’s evolving security challenges.
The minister said that terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime had become increasingly transnational, making fragmented national responses inadequate.
He identified the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, Horn of Africa and parts of Central and Southern Africa as regions requiring stronger cooperation to contain insecurity.
According to him, intelligence sharing, mutual trust and collective responsibility are critical to preventing terrorist groups and criminal networks from exploiting national borders.
“Terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime increasingly transcend national boundaries, while fragmented national responses allow threats to migrate across regions,” he said.
Musa urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to sustain practical security cooperation in spite of prevailing political differences.
He said that neighbouring countries should strengthen intelligence exchange, border coordination and counterterrorism operations in recognition of their shared security interests.
The minister also called for stronger African diplomatic engagement to address the protracted conflicts in Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He added that coordinated peace building and conflict-prevention initiatives were necessary to complement military operations and reduce the humanitarian consequences of prolonged instability.
He also emphasised that military action alone could not deliver lasting peace without effective governance, economic opportunities and public confidence in state institutions.
“Military operations alone cannot deliver lasting security without effective governance, economic opportunities and public confidence in state institutions,” he said.
He advocated integrated approaches that addressed the underlying causes of conflict while strengthening civilian protection and post-conflict stabilisation.
Local media reports stated that the other African defence leaders at the meeting commended Nigeria for the successful hosting of the event, pledging to ensure implementation of key recommendations and resolutions.
The reports added that AFRIDEX 2026 brought together defence and security stakeholders to explore technological innovations, strengthen military cooperation and promote partnerships aimed at addressing Africa’s evolving security challenges.
GIK/APA