International Collaboration Critical To Collective Security — Gen. Oluyede

Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede says international collaboration remains critical to collective security in the face of evolving threats.

He stated this in his closing remarks at a Capacity Building and Regional Doctrine workshop organised by the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre (JDWC) in Abuja.

A statement yesterday by the director of defence information, Major General Samaila Uba, said the  CDS, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal F.O. 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.

The defence chief noted the robust participation of national and regional partners, stating that their presence validates 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, 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.

General Oluyede emphasised that doctrine remained the intellectual foundation of military operations, stressing that insights generated during the workshop must be refined into doctrinal publications that will guide strategy, policy and operational concepts.

He expressed confidence that the workshop equipped participants with the technical expertise and perspectives necessary to enhance doctrinal development within their respective countries.

The CDS also appreciated the presence of the ECOWAS team and their ongoing efforts to strengthen the ECOWAS Standby Force.

The director general, Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre, Major General A.E. 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 said the programme was structured into two specialised phases: the first two days focused on Nigerian personnel, while the remaining sessions involved regional participants. According to him, the objective is 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.

He expressed profound appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff for providing the strategic leadership that made the workshop possible. The Director General also acknowledged the support of the British Defence Staff (West Africa) for facilitating resource persons from the United Kingdom, as well as the contributions of experienced retired senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

He expressed confidence that the diversity of expertise assembled would strengthen jointness in operations, enhance regional capacity building and improve multi-agency cooperation.