The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General OO Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s (AFN) commitment to a people-centric, ethically grounded, and professionally accountable military. He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Human Security and Gender Advisers Course, held on Monday at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Asokoro, Abuja.
Represented by the Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, Major General Ibrahim Lassa, General Oluyede commended the British Defence staff for their continuous support in enhancing the operational effectiveness of the AFN, particularly in civil-military relations. He noted that the partnership reflects the enduring defence cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, built on shared values and a commitment to people-oriented approaches to national security.
Highlighting Nigeria’s complex and multidimensional security environment marked by asymmetric warfare, violent extremism, communal conflicts, transnational crimes, and humanitarian emergencies the CDS stressed that modern security extends beyond territorial defence to include the protection of lives, preservation of human dignity, and strengthening societal resilience.
“The AFN is being repositioned as a force that is not only operationally capable but also ethically grounded, people-centred, and responsive to the socio-cultural realities of its operational environment,” he said.
General Oluyede described human security and gender advisory roles as force multipliers that enhance legitimacy, operational reach, and mission sustainability.
Participants were urged to maximize the course as a platform for knowledge exchange, professional networking, and critical reflection, translating the skills gained into practical application during operational planning, field deployments, and engagement with civilians.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal, described the programme as a critical initiative to enhance the professional competence of Nigeria’s security institutions. He noted that participants were carefully selected to serve in advisory capacities within the AFN, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, emphasized that their dedication would be key to achieving the course objectives.
The AFN reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with partners in building capacity and promoting professional growth for its personnel.
