Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd.), Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, has emphasised the importance of a coherent and unified doctrinal framework to address the country’s evolving security threats.
The minister spoke at the inauguration of the Chief of Defence Staff’s lecture for the newly established Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre in Abuja. The lecture, titled “Evolving Armed Forces of Nigeria Doctrine to Meet Security Challenges in a Multi-domain and Joint Environment,” highlighted the role of doctrine in guiding multi-service operations.
Musa noted that Nigeria faces a complex security environment characterised by terrorism, transnational crimes, asymmetric threats, and emerging technologies such as drones and robots. He stressed that jointness among the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other security agencies, including citizens, is essential for operational success.
He described the centre as an institution that will encourage continuous learning, critical thinking, and inter-service dialogue, providing the foundation for coordinated, doctrine-driven operations. Musa also lauded President Bola Tinubu and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Olufemi Oluyede for their leadership and commitment to enhancing national security.
Gen. Oluyede supported the minister’s remarks, highlighting the importance of joint operations in areas such as border security and counter-terrorism. He called for structured approaches to jointness, including indigenous production of defence equipment, and cited Operation Safe Corridor as a key rehabilitation programme for repentant terrorists.
Maj.-Gen. Effiong Edet, Director-General of the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre, explained that the centre develops and promotes joint doctrine to improve interoperability across all branches of the armed forces. He noted that Nigeria’s security threats have evolved beyond traditional domains, making doctrine a strategic necessity.
Edet outlined the centre’s achievements, including establishing functional departments, engaging with think tanks, regional partners, and international organisations, and conducting a four-day capacity-building and regional doctrine workshop. The centre aims to present a joint defence doctrine and selection roadmap for the Nigerian Air Force, moving doctrine from theory into practical implementation.
