JDWC Inaugural Lecture: CDS Champions Homegrown Military Production, Border Security Cooperation
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Olufemi Oluyede, has underscored the need for a new phase of strategic military evolution, stressing that strengthened border security and indigenous technological advancement remain central to Nigeria’s future defence posture.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Defence Information Major General Samaila Uba, on Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Speaking while delivering his closing remarks at the inaugural lecture of the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre (JDWC) on Tuesday, the CDS highlighted the Armed Forces’ deliberate shift towards self-reliance and enhanced regional collaboration to address Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
He disclosed that the military is intensifying efforts to boost local defence production through the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and other indigenous manufacturers. He also emphasized the critical link between border security and internal stability, noting the importance of sustained cooperation with neighbouring countries.
Responding to contributions from stakeholders, General Oluyede reiterated the importance of synergy and joint operations, pointing out that single-service approaches are often insufficient to achieve optimal outcomes. He cited operational experiences to illustrate the necessity for the Services to work collaboratively, leveraging their distinct competencies.
The CDS further revealed that outcomes from the lecture would be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to secure wider stakeholder support for the implementation of its recommendations.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, who attended as Special Guest of Honour, also stressed the importance of synergy. He described Nigeria’s security framework as a “whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach.”
He noted that the JDWC, established in July 2025, serves as an intellectual hub where the Armed Forces develop integrated strategies, enabling the Army, Navy, and Air Force to operate as a unified and formidable force, supported by an alert and cooperative citizenry.
Earlier, the Director General of the JDWC, Major General A.E. Edet, outlined key achievements recorded within six months of the Centre’s establishment. With the backing of the CDS, he said the Centre has developed strategic roadmaps to ensure full operationalisation.
He pledged that the JDWC would remain “relentlessly focused” on advancing technology and innovation to strengthen national security and drive collective prosperity.
The inaugural lecture marks a significant milestone in institutionalising joint military doctrine, enhancing defence coordination, and promoting a comprehensive and collaborative approach to tackling insecurity in Nigeria.
The event attracted a distinguished audience, including Service Chiefs, former Chiefs of Defence Staff led by Alani Akinrinade, former Service Chiefs, senior military officers, members of the diplomatic corps, and heads of security agencies, among other stakeholders.
