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The Defence Headquarters is preparing to welcome Chiefs of Defence Staff from 53 African nations — including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic — for the inaugural African Defence Chiefs Summit in Abuja.

The Defence Headquarters is set to host the inaugural African Chiefs of Defence Staff (CDS) Summit in Abuja from August 25 to 27, bringing together top military leaders from 53 African countries — including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic — to champion Africa-led solutions to the continent’s security challenges.

This was disclosed by Air Vice Marshal Precious Amadi, Chairman of the Summit Planning Committee, during a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.

AVM Amadi confirmed that all invited nations, including those currently experiencing political tensions with ECOWAS, had shown interest in participating. He clarified that despite diplomatic strains, military cooperation remains intact.

“We don’t meddle in political affairs. Niger Republic, for instance, still actively participates in the Multinational Joint Task Force,” he explained. “Militarily, the principle remains: a threat to one is a threat to all. We’ve reached out to all countries and most have expressed their intention to attend physically, not just by sending delegates.”

Amadi described the summit as a crucial platform for African defence chiefs to engage in strategic dialogue, foster collaboration, and strengthen the continent’s defence systems. He emphasized that the initiative is timely, especially given today’s growing security threats.

“In light of current realities, the need for African solutions to African problems has never been more urgent,” he said. “It is on this basis that President Bola Tinubu approved the hosting of this maiden summit by the Defence Headquarters.”

Themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaborations,” the summit will explore four major themes:

Crafting collective strategies to tackle African security threats,
Enabling coordinated responses to peace and security issues,
Exploring integration of the private sector into Africa’s defence initiatives, and
Establishing a forum for generating indigenous solutions to the continent’s defence challenges.

A defence exhibition will run alongside the summit, showcasing Africa’s defence capabilities. The event will also welcome foreign partners, top retired and serving military officers, as well as representatives from the African Union, ECOWAS, government agencies, and security institutions.

Dotun Ajayi, Executive Director of the African Business Roundtable and a summit consultant, stressed the importance of involving the private sector in security initiatives. According to him, tackling insecurity now requires a comprehensive approach beyond military force.

“Security is no longer solely a military concern,” he noted. “It’s a shared responsibility, and public-private partnerships are key. We’re exploring a broad spectrum of activities to support the military’s efforts with sustainable, non-military solutions.”