Nigerian military restates commitment to human security as gender advisers’ training opens in Abuja

By Zainab Uzomah

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa Oluyede, has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to a people-centred and ethically grounded security approach as the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) opened a new Human Security and Gender Advisers Course in Abuja.

Speaking on Monday at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, and represented by the Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, Major General Ibrahim Lassa, the CDS praised the United Kingdom for what he described as sustained collaboration in strengthening civil-military relations and improving the AFN’s operational effectiveness. He said the partnership underscores shared values and a joint commitment to modern, citizen-focused security frameworks.

General Oluyede said Nigeria’s security landscape had become “complex, fluid and multidimensional”, shaped by asymmetric threats, violent extremism, communal clashes, transnational crime and humanitarian emergencies. He added that national defence must now encompass the protection of civilians, safeguarding human dignity and strengthening societal resilience.

He said the training aligns with his strategic vision of improving joint operations, reinforcing military readiness and welfare, and enhancing administrative systems to ensure the Armed Forces fulfil their mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty. The AFN, he noted, is being repositioned as “operationally capable, ethically grounded and responsive to the socio-cultural realities” of its environment.

General Oluyede stressed that preventive measures, closer work with civilian institutions and the protection of civilians had become central to military effectiveness. He described human security and gender advisory roles as “force multipliers” that strengthen legitimacy, widen operational reach and improve mission outcomes.

Participants were urged to take full advantage of the programme, which he said should translate into practical improvements during planning, field operations and engagements with communities affected by conflict.

Earlier, the Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal, said the course was designed to boost the professional competence of personnel selected from the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. He expressed confidence that the training would enhance professionalism, deepen civil-military cooperation and build trust with civilian populations.

The Armed Forces said it would continue to work with partners to strengthen capacity development and professional growth across Nigeria’s security institutions.