The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, commenced a high-level strategic seminar aimed at enhancing operational effectiveness through transformation, innovation and improved joint operations in response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
According to a statement signed by the Director Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Samaila Uba in Abuja said that, the seminar, themed “Optimising the AFN’s Operational Capabilities through Transformation and Innovation: Issues and Prospects,” brought together senior military officers, academics, defence analysts and subject-matter experts to explore practical approaches to strengthening national defence within a whole-of-government framework.
In his keynote address, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatubonsun Oluyede, said the increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous security environment demands deliberate transformation and sustained innovation to maintain operational superiority.
General Oluyede noted that innovation remains a critical driver of modern military operations, enabling improved situational awareness, enhanced force protection, greater precision and faster decision-making. He stressed that all transformation efforts must align with the CDS Military Strategic Philosophy, which prioritises enhanced jointness, a strengthened operational posture, improved personnel welfare and sound administration in safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and prosperity.
The CDS identified key challenges confronting the AFN, including limited domestic defence production capacity, gaps in emerging technologies and funding constraints due to competing national priorities. Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence in the prospects for sustainable transformation, citing the commitment of personnel and growing institutional emphasis on innovation.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Jeff Adidun Ekwuribe, who represented the Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation, highlighted the urgency for institutional adaptation in the face of emerging and asymmetric threats.
He urged participants to focus on improving joint operational coordination, strengthening intelligence capabilities, modernising logistics systems and accelerating digital transformation across the services.
Also speaking, the resource person, Professor Ehiz Odigie-Okpataku, emphasised that technology alone cannot deliver military efficiency without a clear strategic vision, sound doctrine and comprehensive institutional reforms.
She called for the development of a long-term defence transformation strategy that embeds innovation as a core operational priority, while advocating stronger collaboration between the military, academia, the private sector and regional and international security institutions.
The seminar reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to transformation, innovation and jointness as key pillars for sustaining national security and operational excellence.
Discover more from Inside Abuja Media
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
