By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria has called on African countries to strengthen strategic autonomy, develop indigenous defence capabilities and reduce dependence on external military powers, insisting that the continent must move from being a theatre of geopolitical competition to becoming an influential player in global security decision-making.
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), made the call during a strategic engagement with visiting African Ministers of Defence and Chiefs of Defence Staff at the African Defence Exhibition and Conference (AFRIDEX 2026), which ended in Lagos.
According to an official statement signed by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Defence, Musa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to continental solidarity, collective security and the accelerated development of indigenous defence capabilities.
He said intensifying global geopolitical competition and external interference made it imperative for African nations to adopt a common position anchored on national sovereignty and strategic autonomy.
The minister stressed that defence partnerships must reflect priorities defined by African countries rather than perpetuate strategic dependence or undermine state sovereignty.
He also called for stronger African representation in global security decision-making, emphasising the importance of the African Union Peace and Security Architecture and greater coordination among continental, regional and national defence frameworks.
Addressing security challenges across the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, Horn of Africa and parts of Central and Southern Africa, Musa said terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime could not be effectively tackled through fragmented national responses.
He advocated cross-regional cooperation between Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), alongside diplomatic and peacebuilding engagements to address protracted conflicts in Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The minister further called for integrated governance approaches to tackle the root causes of instability and strengthen civilian protection across the continent.
On defence industrialisation, Musa identified Africa’s dependence on foreign military equipment, spare parts and technical support as a major vulnerability, urging countries to embrace local defence production, technology transfer and joint maintenance ventures.
He said developing indigenous defence industries would strengthen the continent’s capacity to safeguard its sovereignty and respond more effectively to emerging security threats.
The minister also called for the transformation of the African Standby Force into a fully operational, responsive and strategically mobile capability supported by sustainable financing.
He advocated enhanced maritime domain awareness and coordinated naval exercises to protect strategic sea lines of communication in the Gulf of Guinea and the Red Sea.
To translate the discussions into practical outcomes, Musa proposed a structured follow-up mechanism among participating defence institutions to coordinate joint training, intelligence sharing and defence industrial partnerships.
He said Africa’s security future must be determined by the collective resolve, capabilities and strategic choices of its countries, adding that Nigeria was ready to work with its partners towards a secure, united and self-reliant continent.
The meeting commended Nigeria for organising the maiden AFRIDEX, pledging support for the sustainability of the exhibition as part of efforts to advance Africa’s security sovereignty.
