Insecurity: CDS, Christopher Musa calls for sharper strategic thinking
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has called for sharper and smarter strategic thinking and synergy among Nigeria’s military forces in tackling complex security threats.
Musa made the call at the opening of the Armed Forces Unified Strategic National Security Exercise organised by the National Defence College and Services War Colleges, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The CDS, represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shettima, described the exercise as “a blueprint for operational excellence in the face of 21st-century threats.”
He said that STRANEX, a high-level simulation exercise, brought together top military minds, international participants, and key stakeholders from ministries and agencies to rehearse responses to complex national security scenarios.
According to him, this collaboration was enhanced in the service coordination, joint planning, and strategic unity of purpose, which is central to the operational effectiveness of the armed forces.
“Our success as a military and as a nation depends on the quality of strategic thinking, resilience of our institutions, and unity of our operational communities, whether national or international alike.
“This is not just an academic milestone. It is a rehearsal for real-world crisis management where strategy meets pressure, and cooperation becomes survival.
“The exercise sparked conversations on the intersection between national development and security in an increasingly volatile region,” he said.
Musa hailed the presence of international observers and UN partners, saying their participation reflects a shared global interest in peace, stability, and strategic learning.
He reaffirmed the armed forces’ commitment to building a more cohesive, responsive, and development-oriented military.
He urged participants to “challenge assumptions, refine judgment, and engage deeply,” as the lessons from STRANEX may shape future decisions on issues of national and global consequence.
The Commandant of NDC, Rear Admiral James Okosun, said that TRANEX was a major war gaming exercise that involves the defense and services war colleges.
Okosun said that the contemporary operating environment had remained volatile, uncertain, hopeless, and ambiguous, characterised by the effects of asymmetric threats that transcend national borders.
He said the exercise aimed to enhance collaboration and interoperability mindset in advancing future strategic leaders’ understanding of how institutions are handling complex national decision-making processes.
According to him, to effectively combat this challenge, integrated and comprehensive action is needed.
“Accordingly, the conservative education at this level attempts to practice decision making during national security crisis through role play.
“It is my humble belief that this immersive environment will equip participants with the required training needed to perform at the appropriate level during national security crisis, and on the field”, he said.
The Director, Higher Military Organisation and Operations, NDC, Brig Gen Olumide Ojo, described STRANEX as a defence and security-related, problem-solving exercise.
Ojo said the exercise was designed to expose the participants to top-level defense decision-making with efforts on strategy management, development, strategic estimates and reports, policy analysis and formulation, crisis management, negotiation and mediation, as well as the national security decision-making process.
According to him, the exercise is designed at both ground strategic, military strategy, and operational levels to aid proper understanding of the situation.
“The overall aim is to synchronise efforts at both levels of command and staff roles in a joint environment which is aligned with the Chief of Defence’s leadership concept,” he said.
