The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has expressed deep concern over the growing security challenges confronting African nations, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger collaboration across the continent to effectively address these threats.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, at the opening of the Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja on Monday, Matawalle highlighted the evolving nature of Africa’s security landscape.
“Africa is facing serious and rapidly evolving threats that are complex, transnational, and increasingly asymmetric. Addressing these challenges requires more than resilience, it demands robust continental cooperation,” he said.
He underscored the importance of African-led initiatives in ensuring sustainable peace and stability: “Today marks a significant step forward. We reaffirm that Africa’s security must be anchored in African leadership, unity, and solutions.”
Matawalle noted that Nigeria continues to play a leading role in promoting regional peace and security. He pointed to the Nigerian Armed Forces’ active involvement in peacekeeping operations, counterterrorism efforts, and humanitarian missions both within Africa and beyond.
Reiterating Nigeria’s commitment to building stronger defence partnerships, the minister said collaboration remains key to advancing peace, development, and democratic governance across the continent.
He also urged African nations to prioritize investment in modern technologies—including artificial intelligence (AI)—to counter the growing threat posed by extremist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, Al-Qaeda, and Al-Shabaab.
“To confront enemies that threaten our territorial integrity, we must turn to digital solutions,” Matawalle said. “The future of warfare is digital, and our defence strategies must reflect that reality.”
He emphasized the need for collective intelligence sharing and trust-building among African defence institutions: “No single country can secure the continent alone. This summit is a testament to our shared commitment to cooperation.”
Calling for forward-thinking and innovation, Matawalle encouraged participants to embrace indigenous military technologies and cyberdefence capabilities. “Africa must not merely follow global trends, we must lead and help shape them. Let this summit serve as a platform for strategic planning and actionable collaboration,” he concluded.
