DEFENCE MINISTER CALLS FOR ADAPTIVE, SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL RESPONSE AS DHQ CONVENES HIGH-LEVEL FORUM TO REPOSITION MNJTF AGAINST EVOLVING SECURITY THREATS
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has convened a high-level international forum to reposition the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against evolving security threats in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel, with Defence Minister General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), OFR, calling for a more adaptive, sustainable and coordinated regional response.
The development was disclosed in a press release issued on October 6, 2026, by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, following the opening of the two-day forum at the National Defence College, Abuja.
The forum, organised by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the Irregular Warfare Centre of the National Defence College, is themed “Repositioning the Multi National Joint Task Force to Effectively Combat Evolving Threat Dynamics in the Lake Chad Region.”
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, General Musa said the MNJTF remained a critical instrument for combating terrorism, transnational crime and other security challenges across the Lake Chad Basin, 11 years after its establishment.
However, he noted that significant changes in the regional security environment required a comprehensive reassessment of the Task Force’s structure, operational capabilities, intelligence gathering, command and control, logistics and financing.
The Defence Minister urged participants to move beyond routine assessments and develop practical, sustainable recommendations capable of strengthening the force’s operational effectiveness amid evolving threats in the Sahel and changing patterns of international support.
He also commended the sacrifices of troops and the contributions of regional and international partners in the ongoing fight against insecurity.
General Musa expressed optimism that the participation of the African Union, European Union, Lake Chad Basin Commission, troop-contributing countries, serving and former force commanders, and other strategic stakeholders would produce actionable recommendations for repositioning the MNJTF.
He assured participants that the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Nigeria would give due consideration to the forum’s outcomes, stressing that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarded the Task Force as an important instrument of regional security and collective African action.
In his welcome remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede, described the forum as a timely platform for military practitioners, policymakers, academics and strategic partners to examine the MNJTF’s operational experience, continuing relevance and future role.
General Oluyede emphasised that the transnational nature of contemporary security threats demanded stronger cooperation, intelligence sharing, interoperability, mutual trust and the capacity to adapt collective responses to emerging realities.
He called for candid, constructive and forward-looking deliberations that would generate practical recommendations for strengthening the Task Force and improving security across the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel.
The CDS further stressed that securing the Lake Chad Basin remained a shared responsibility requiring sustained commitment and stronger partnerships among regional and international stakeholders.
The forum brings together senior military and security officials, policymakers, academics, security practitioners and strategic partners to identify practical measures for enhancing the MNJTF’s capacity to respond to evolving threats and strengthen collective security across the region.
