Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has urged African nations to strengthen regional cooperation and embrace innovation as a pathway to building a safer and more secure continent.
Speaking in Abuja at a dinner for participants of the inaugural African Chiefs of Service Staff Summit, the minister said the gathering was not about war, but about celebrating unity, sacrifice, and the shared vision of peace. He praised Africa’s defence chiefs for their commitment to safeguarding sovereignty and protecting citizens, describing their collaboration as central to continental stability.
Matawalle noted that the summit created a platform for open discussions on pressing security issues, including border management, counter-terrorism, maritime safety, and the use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence in defence operations. He stressed that these ideas were not abstract, but practical solutions to the urgent threats facing Africa today.
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening security institutions, investing in military training, and promoting democratic values anchored on fairness and respect for human rights. He maintained that true continental progress depends on cooperation and trust among African nations.
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Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, described the summit as a landmark event that should mark the beginning of stronger security frameworks across Africa. He urged participating countries to sustain the momentum generated in Abuja and translate the resolutions reached into concrete action.
“Unity is our strongest weapon,” Musa declared. “If we stand together as Africans, no threat, whether terrorism, piracy, or cybercrime, can overpower us. This summit has shown that our bonds are stronger than our borders.”
The dinner closed with cultural performances that highlighted Nigeria’s hospitality and diversity, marking the end of the three-day summit. Delegates departed with renewed optimism that Africa can chart a future where peace, safety, and dignity are not aspirations but realities for all its citizens.
