By Gabriel Ameh
ABUJA | Media360Impact Report
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to strengthen its response to evolving terrorist threats and cross-border insecurity across the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel region.
Musa made the call on October 6, 2026, while serving as Special Guest of Honour at the opening of a two-day high-level international forum on the future of the MNJTF at the National Defence College in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Samaila Uba, the forum was organised by Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the Irregular Warfare Centre of the National Defence College.
The meeting was themed, “Repositioning the Multinational Joint Task Force to Effectively Combat Evolving Threat Dynamics in the Lake Chad Region.”
Minister Seeks Changes to MNJTF Operations
Musa noted that the MNJTF had played a critical role in combating terrorism, transnational crime and other security challenges since its establishment 11 years ago.
However, he warned that changing security threats and developments across the region required a fresh assessment of the force’s structure and operational capabilities.
He called for improvements in intelligence gathering, command and control systems, logistics, operational coordination and funding to enable the task force to respond more effectively to emerging threats.
The defence minister also urged participants to move beyond routine discussions and develop practical, sustainable recommendations that would strengthen the MNJTF’s effectiveness.
He highlighted the need to consider evolving security dynamics in the Sahel and changing patterns of international support for regional security operations.
Nigeria Seeks Stronger Regional Security Cooperation
The minister commended troops deployed in the fight against insecurity, acknowledging their sacrifices and the contributions of regional and international partners supporting operations across the Lake Chad Basin.
He expressed confidence 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.
Musa assured participants that the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Nigeria would give due consideration to the forum’s outcomes.
He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration regarded the MNJTF as an important instrument for regional security and collective African action.
CDS Calls for Intelligence Sharing, Interoperability
In his welcome remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede, described the forum as timely, providing an opportunity for military officers, policymakers, academics and strategic partners to assess the task force’s operational experience, continuing relevance and future direction.
Oluyede stressed that the cross-border nature of contemporary security threats required stronger cooperation among countries and security institutions.
He identified intelligence sharing, interoperability, mutual trust and the ability to adapt joint responses to changing security conditions as essential to the task force’s effectiveness.
The CDS urged participants to engage in candid and forward-looking discussions that would produce practical recommendations for strengthening the MNJTF and improving security across the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel.
He further emphasised that securing the region remained a shared responsibility requiring sustained commitment and stronger partnerships among regional and international stakeholders.
Forum Targets Practical Solutions to Cross-Border Threats
The high-level forum brings together senior military and security officials, policymakers, academics, practitioners and strategic partners to examine the MNJTF’s future and identify ways to improve collective responses to cross-border threats.
The discussions are expected to focus on the task force’s operational capacity and the institutional, logistical and financial support needed to sustain its mission.
The proposed reassessment comes as regional stakeholders seek more effective ways to address terrorism, transnational crime and other security challenges that extend beyond national borders.
The outcome of the forum could help shape future efforts to strengthen regional military cooperation and improve collective security across the Lake Chad Basin.
