Nigeria will host the African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit from August 25 to 27, 2025, bringing together military leaders from across the continent to deliberate on strategies for combating emerging security threats in Africa.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa said the summit would affirm Nigeria’s readiness to secure its territory, the African region, and contribute to global peace. He emphasised that the gathering would strengthen military collaboration and foster African-led solutions to shared security challenges.
The event, themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration”, will take place at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre and Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will declare the summit open, while UN Deputy Secretary-General, Aminah Mohammed, will deliver the keynote address. According to the CDS, invitations have been extended to Defence Chiefs from all 54 African countries, with over 90 percent already confirming attendance. The summit will feature plenary sessions, a gala night, and a concurrent defence exhibition showcasing Africa’s military capabilities. 
The summit aims to strengthen collaboration among African militaries for intelligence-sharing, joint training, and coordinated responses to transnational threats; enhance regional security mechanisms such as the African Union Peace and Security Architecture and the ECOWAS Standby Force; promote indigenous defence industries and innovation, including private sector participation in resourcing defence; and develop unified strategies against terrorism, violent extremism, piracy, cyber threats, and resource-related conflicts.
The CDS identified pressing security concerns across the continent, including Boko Haram, al-Shabaab, ISIS affiliates, banditry, kidnappings, maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, cyber vulnerabilities, and the climate-security nexus. He stressed the importance of interoperability among African forces, enhanced defence diplomacy, and youth participation in national defence through cadet programmes and military academies.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s longstanding role in peacekeeping under the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS, the CDS commended President Tinubu for supporting the Armed Forces and urged Nigerians to continue providing moral and community backing for military operations. “African security is key to our success and development. We must step up to take charge of our responsibilities. The Armed Forces of Nigeria cannot succeed without the support of Nigerians,” he said.
With Nigeria’s population of over 200 million and its strategic influence in Africa, the CDS said the summit would project the nation’s leadership role in shaping the continent’s security future.
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