By Nkechi Eze
The Honourable Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, CON, mni, has formally declared open the 2025 Defence Training Conference in Abuja, urging the Armed Forces of Nigeria to adopt a transformative, performance-oriented approach to training in response to the nation’s evolving security challenges.
Held at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, the conference convened under the theme “Performance-Oriented Training and Trends in the Contemporary Operating Environment” brought together top military leadership, strategic planners, defence experts, and stakeholders in the national security space.
In an official signed statement by Mati Ali, Personal Assistant, Media and Publicity to the Honourable Minister, Minister Badaru, in his opening address, stressed the need for Nigerian military training doctrines to evolve in line with the complex and dynamic nature of current security threats.
“We are no longer engaged in yesterday’s conflicts. The threats we confront are asymmetric, borderless, and increasingly sophisticated. Our training programs must evolve to reflect these realities,” the Minister declared, urging the military establishment to rethink conventional paradigms and adopt innovative, forward-thinking solutions.
He explained that the strategic direction of the Ministry of Defence would prioritize modernization and recalibration of training frameworks to align with the realities of modern warfare. The Minister emphasized the importance of modernizing training infrastructure, integrating cyber and space-based capabilities into operational readiness plans, and strengthening Nigeria’s participation in both joint inter-agency operations and international military exercises. He also highlighted the need for deeper collaboration with leading global defence institutions.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s unwavering support for the Armed Forces, Minister Badaru noted that at the heart of national defence lies the human element. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare, leadership capacity, and psychological resilience of Nigeria’s military personnel, describing them as the linchpin of any effective defence architecture.
He further encouraged all participants at the conference to engage in robust and pragmatic dialogue on critical aspects of military development, including the use of simulation technology in training, the creation of modular and scalable training models, and the strengthening of civil-military relations as a cornerstone for long-term national development.
The Defence Minister lauded the Defence Headquarters for successfully hosting the conference, and commended the Armed Forces for their tireless dedication, professionalism, and service to the nation. He underscored that the outcomes of the conference must transcend theoretical debates and translate into practical, actionable policies that will enhance the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian military both within and beyond its borders.
“This conference must not remain theoretical. It should result in actionable outcomes that enhance our operational effectiveness both domestically and internationally,” he concluded.
The 2025 Defence Training Conference, according to Minister Badaru, marks a pivotal step in the ongoing efforts to build a technologically advanced, agile, and strategically aligned Armed Forces capable of responding to Nigeria’s defence and security imperatives in the 21st century.
