CDS Oluyede Vows People-Centric Military to Tackle Nigeria’s Asymmetric Threats

By Angel Nwaozuzu

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General OO Oluyede has reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s (AFN) commitment to being a people-centric, ethically grounded, and professionally accountable force.

He stated this on Monday at the opening of the Human Security and Gender Advisers Course at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.

Represented by Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, Major General Ibrahim Lassa, the CDS commended the British Defence Staff for their sustained support in boosting AFN operational effectiveness, especially in civil-military relations, reflecting the enduring Nigeria-UK defence partnership built on shared values and people-oriented security approaches.

General Oluyede described Nigeria’s security landscape as complex and multidimensional marked by asymmetric warfare, violent extremism, communal conflicts, transnational crime, and humanitarian crises impacting civilians.

He stressed that security extends beyond territorial defence to protecting lives, preserving human dignity, and building societal resilience.

The course aligns with his strategy to enhance AFN capacities through jointness, stronger operations, better welfare, and efficient administration, upholding the military’s mandate for Nigeria’s sovereignty and prosperity through a whole-of-government approach.

“The AFN is being repositioned as a force that is not only operationally capable but also ethically grounded, people-centred, and responsive to its operational environment’s socio-cultural realities,” he said.

Oluyede emphasised preventive action, civilian institution collaboration, and civilian protection as key to military effectiveness, with human security and gender advisory roles acting as force multipliers for legitimacy, reach, and sustainability.

He urged participants to leverage the course for knowledge exchange, reflection, and networking, applying skills in operations, deployments, and civilian engagements.

Earlier, Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal welcomed participants, noting their selection for advisory roles in the AFN, Nigeria Police Force, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

He said the training would boost professionalism, civil-military ties, and public trust, calling for dedicated engagement.

The AFN will continue partnering for personnel capacity building and growth.