The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has called for sharper strategic thinking and greater synergy among Nigeria’s military forces in addressing the country’s evolving and complex security threats.
Gen. Musa made the call on Tuesday at the opening of the Armed Forces Unified Strategic National Security Exercise (STRANEX 2025) in Abuja. The high-level simulation exercise was organised by the National Defence College (NDC) in collaboration with the Services War Colleges.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shettima, the CDS described STRANEX as “a blueprint for operational excellence in the face of 21st-century threats.”
He said the exercise brought together senior military leaders, international participants, and key stakeholders from government ministries and agencies to simulate and rehearse coordinated responses to complex national security scenarios.
“Our success as a military and as a nation depends on the quality of strategic thinking, the resilience of our institutions, and the unity of our operational communities—both nationally and internationally,” Musa stated.
He emphasized that STRANEX was not just an academic exercise but a critical rehearsal for real-world crisis management, where effective strategy, adaptability, and cooperation determine outcomes.
“This exercise sparked meaningful dialogue on the relationship between national development and security in an increasingly volatile region,” he added.
The CDS also commended the presence of international observers and United Nations partners, saying their participation reflects a shared global commitment to peace, stability, and strategic preparedness.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Armed Forces’ commitment to building a cohesive, responsive, and development-oriented military, urging participants to “challenge assumptions, refine judgment, and engage deeply,” as the outcomes of STRANEX could shape future national and international security decisions.
In his remarks, Rear Adm. James Okosun, Commandant of the National Defence College, described STRANEX as a major joint war-gaming exercise that involves Nigeria’s defence and service war colleges.
He noted that the current operating environment remains volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, driven largely by asymmetric threats that cut across borders.
“To effectively address these challenges, integrated and comprehensive responses are essential,” Okosun said.
“This exercise provides a simulated environment to practice high-level decision-making under national security crisis scenarios through structured role-play.”
Also speaking, Brig. Gen. Olumide Ojo, Director of Higher Military Organisation and Operations at the NDC, described STRANEX as a problem-solving, defence-focused simulation that exposes participants to core elements of top-level decision-making.
He explained that the exercise covers:
Strategic management and development
Crisis response and national security decision-making
Policy analysis and formulation
Strategic estimates and reporting
Negotiation and mediation in conflict scenarios
According to him, STRANEX is designed across strategic, operational, and tactical levels, enabling participants to understand how joint forces and institutional actors coordinate during real-time crises.
“The overall aim is to synchronise efforts at all command levels in a joint operational environment, in line with the Chief of Defence Staff’s leadership vision,” Ojo said.
