The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has restated the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s (AFN) resolve to function as a people-focused, ethically driven, and professionally accountable military institution.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, via the Defence Headquarters’ X handle on Tuesday. According to the statement, Oluyede made the remarks at the opening of the Human Security and Gender Advisers Course held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja.
Represented at the event by the Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, Major General Ibrahim Lassa, the CDS applauded the British Defence Staff for their continued support in enhancing the operational efficiency of the AFN, particularly in strengthening civil-military relations.
He noted that the collaboration underscores the long-standing defence partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, anchored on shared values and a mutual commitment to people-centred security approaches.
Oluyede acknowledged that Nigeria’s security landscape remains complex and multi-layered, marked by asymmetric warfare, violent extremism, communal clashes, transnational crimes, and humanitarian crises that significantly impact civilian populations.
He emphasised that contemporary security operations must extend beyond territorial defence to include the protection of lives, preservation of human dignity, and the reinforcement of societal resilience.
The CDS explained that the course aligns with his strategic objective of strengthening the AFN through improved joint operations, a strengthened operational posture, enhanced welfare schemes, and efficient administration. These measures, he said, are geared towards sustaining the military’s core responsibility of safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and prosperity under a whole-of-government framework.
He further stated that the Armed Forces are being repositioned as a force that is not only operationally effective but also ethically sound, people-oriented, and sensitive to the socio-cultural realities of its operating environment.
Oluyede highlighted that preventive strategies, cooperation with civilian institutions, and the protection of civilians have become central to modern military effectiveness. He described human security and gender advisory roles as critical force multipliers that bolster legitimacy, expand operational reach, and improve mission sustainability.
He encouraged participants to maximise the training opportunity for knowledge sharing, critical engagement, and professional networking, stressing that the competencies gained should be applied in operational planning, deployments, and interactions with civilian communities.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal, described the course as a vital initiative aimed at strengthening the professional capacity of Nigeria’s security agencies.
Lawal noted that participants were carefully selected to serve in advisory capacities within the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. He expressed confidence that the programme would enhance professionalism, deepen civil-military cooperation, and foster trust between security agencies and the public.
He urged participants to approach the course with commitment, professionalism, and openness, adding that the AFN remains committed to collaborating with local and international partners to advance capacity building and personnel development.
