Nigeria’s Defence Minister, retired General Christopher Musa, has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to overcome political differences and strengthen cooperation against terrorism and cross-border crime.
Musa made the appeal during a meeting of African defence ministers and military chiefs held on the sidelines of the Africa Defence Exhibition and Conference (AFRIDEX 2026) in Lagos.
He called for increased intelligence sharing, better coordination along national borders and joint counterterrorism operations, warning that armed groups and criminal networks were exploiting divisions between neighbouring countries.
The minister said terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime had become increasingly transnational, making isolated national responses inadequate.
He identified the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, Horn of Africa and parts of Central and Southern Africa as regions requiring stronger security cooperation.
Musa also called for greater diplomatic efforts to resolve the prolonged conflicts in Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stressing that military operations alone could not secure lasting peace.
Beyond regional security cooperation, the Nigerian minister urged African countries to reduce their dependence on foreign military equipment and strengthen their domestic defence industries.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the African Union’s African Peace and Security Architecture, which provides a framework for addressing the continent’s changing security challenges.
AFRIDEX 2026 brought together defence and security representatives to examine technological developments, strengthen military cooperation and promote partnerships to address Africa’s evolving security challenges.
