The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to a people-centric, ethically grounded and professionally accountable military, as the Human Security and Gender Advisers Course opened in Abuja.
Zig Diaries Defence
Date: Monday, 26 January 2026
Time: 13:30 WAT
Location: 📍 Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja
General Oluyede stated this on Monday at the opening ceremony of the course held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja, stressing that modern security challenges require approaches that prioritise human security alongside traditional defence objectives.
The CDS, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, Major General Ibrahim Lassa, commended the British Defence Staff for their sustained support in enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, particularly in the area of civil-military relations. He noted that the collaboration reflects the enduring defence partnership between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, built on shared values and a mutual commitment to contemporary, people-oriented security practices.
General Oluyede explained that Nigeria’s security environment remains complex and multidimensional, shaped by asymmetric warfare, violent extremism, communal conflicts, transnational crimes and humanitarian emergencies that directly affect civilian populations. He stressed that security must go beyond territorial defence to include the protection of lives, preservation of human dignity and the strengthening of societal resilience.
He noted that the course aligns with his strategic philosophy of consolidating AFN capacities through enhanced jointness, a reinforced operational posture, improved welfare efforts and sound administration, all aimed at guaranteeing Nigeria’s sovereignty and prosperity under a whole-of-government approach.
According to him, the Armed Forces are 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.
The Defence Chief further underscored that preventive action, collaboration with civilian institutions and the protection of civilians have become integral elements of military effectiveness, describing human security and gender advisory roles as force multipliers that enhance legitimacy, expand operational reach and improve mission sustainability.
He urged participants to maximise the course as a platform for knowledge exchange, professional reflection and networking, noting that the skills acquired must translate into practical application during operational planning, deployments and engagements with civilian communities.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal, described the course as a key initiative designed to enhance the professional competence of Nigeria’s security institutions.
Rear Admiral Lawal said 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, expressing confidence that the training would strengthen professionalism, improve civil-military cooperation and build trust between security agencies and civilians.
The Armed Forces of Nigeria reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration with partners to advance capacity building and professional development across the services.
🏷️ Tags: Armed Forces of Nigeria, Human Security, Gender Advisers, Civil-Military Relations, Defence Training
#ArmedForcesOfNigeria #HumanSecurity #CivilMilitaryRelations #DefenceTraining #ZigDiariesDefence
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