By Nkechi Eze
The Defence Headquarters has concluded a landmark four-day Capacity Building and Regional Doctrine Workshop in Abuja, bringing together Nigerian military personnel and regional partners in a major step toward strengthening joint operations, regional security cooperation, and doctrinal development across West Africa.
In an official signed statement, Director, Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the workshop, organised by the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre (JDWC), was held at the Army War College Nigeria and attracted participants from across the Armed Forces of Nigeria as well as allied nations and international partners.
According to the statement, delivering the closing remarks on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal FO Edosa, described the establishment of the JDWC as “a decisive step towards strengthening Nigeria’s sovereignty and enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
General Oluyede noted the robust participation of national and regional partners, stating that their presence validated a shared commitment to strengthening doctrinal frameworks in the face of evolving and complex security challenges.
He particularly acknowledged the participation of regional partners from Ghana, The Gambia, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, as well as the invaluable contributions of the British Defence Staff (West Africa), especially the Defence Attaché and Colonel George Wilson, for their support and facilitation of resource persons.
The Chief of Defence Staff emphasised that doctrine remains the intellectual foundation of military operations, stressing that insights generated during the workshop must be refined into doctrinal publications to guide strategy, policy, and operational concepts.
He expressed confidence that the workshop had equipped participants with the technical expertise and perspectives necessary to enhance doctrinal development within their respective countries.
General Oluyede also appreciated the presence of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) team and their ongoing efforts to strengthen the ECOWAS Standby Force, noting that international collaboration remains critical to collective security.
He commended the leadership and staff of the JDWC for the strides made within six months of its operationalisation, describing the momentum as commendable and reflective of dedication to mandate delivery.
Earlier, the Director General of the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre, Major General AE Edet, described the workshop as a strategic initiative aligned with the Centre’s core mandate of developing operational doctrines to guide the Armed Forces of Nigeria in addressing contemporary security challenges.
He explained that the programme was structured into two specialised phases, with the first two days dedicated to Nigerian personnel, while the remaining sessions involved regional participants.
According to him, the objective was to cultivate a high-level tri-service cadre of doctrine writers, editors, and validators equipped with the expertise required to harmonise joint warfare concepts across the Services.
Major General Edet expressed appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff for providing the strategic leadership that made the workshop possible, and acknowledged the support of the British Defence Staff (West Africa) and retired senior officers whose contributions enriched the sessions.
He expressed confidence that the diversity of expertise assembled would strengthen joint operations, enhance regional capacity building, and improve multi-agency cooperation.
Major General Uba stated that the successful conclusion of the workshop marks another milestone in the Defence Headquarters’ commitment to strengthening joint doctrine development, deepening regional partnerships, and enhancing the overall readiness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
