Nigeria to Host First Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja

Nigeria will host the first Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff (ACDS) summit in June 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The first-ever summit in Africa will bring together Africa’s defence chiefs for the first time, with the aim of encouraging more cooperation and enhancing defense strategies.

Nigerian Defence Chief of Staff (CDS) Gen. Christopher Musa officially announced the event at the ceremony to induct the planning committee to organize the summit. In delivering his address, Gen. Musa praised the significance of the summit to consolidate military diplomacy and collaboration among African nations.

This summit will be an important forum of conversation regarding defense strategy, peacekeeping, and security coordination in general across Africa,” added Gen. Musa.

The event in June 2025 will provide a platform where African defense leaders can share best practices, harmonize defense goals, and collaborate on regional security concerns, including combating terrorism and violent extremism.”.

The summit is part of Nigeria’s efforts to enhance its leadership role in African defense and security issues. Nigeria has been a front-runner in peacekeeping operations, especially in the West African sub-region, for years and continues to work towards ensuring more security stability on the continent.

Gen. Musa further noted that the decision to host the summit in Abuja is proof of Nigeria’s desire to consolidate relations with African military partners.

“This is not just a gathering of chiefs of defense staff but a critical step towards mapping out the security future of Africa,” he declared.

The planning committee, consisting of top brass officers in the armed forces, has been tasked with coordinating the logistics and ensuring the success of the summit.

With its strategic location and leadership role in African defense, Nigeria is the ideal host for this top-level summit, which is likely to make the country even more a prominent figure in Africa’s security.

With security challenges such as insurgencies, terrorism, and armed conflict still a source of tension across much of Africa, the Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff summit will be a key meeting to discuss and agree on joint approaches to dealing with such challenges. T

he summit should be able to have a meaningful role in regional peace and security efforts, paving the way for better cooperation and enhanced defense capability on the continent.

Nigeria’s government is confident that the summit would not only be utilized in establishing defense ties but also in negotiating long-term cooperation among African nations in their shared interest of enhancing peace, stability, and security in the continent.

The event is eagerly anticipated and shall further assist in projecting Nigeria’s commitment to the defense and security prosperity of Africa.