By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has concluded a four-day Capacity Building and Regional Doctrine Workshop organised by the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre (JDWC) at the Army War College Nigeria, Abuja.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General OO Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal FO Edosa, described the establishment of the JDWC as a decisive step towards strengthening Nigeria’s sovereignty and enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
Oluyede said the strong participation of national and regional partners underscored a shared commitment to strengthening doctrinal frameworks amid evolving and complex security challenges. He acknowledged the presence of participants from Ghana, Gambia, Senegal and Sierra Leone, as well as the support of the British Defence Staff (West Africa), particularly the Defence Attaché and Colonel George Wilson, for facilitating resource persons.
The CDS emphasised that doctrine remains the intellectual foundation of military operations, noting that insights from the workshop should be refined into doctrinal publications to guide strategy, policy and operational concepts. He expressed confidence that participants had gained the technical expertise and broader perspectives needed to advance doctrinal development in their respective countries.
He also commended the ECOWAS team for its ongoing efforts to strengthen the ECOWAS Standby Force, stressing that international collaboration is vital to collective security.
Oluyede praised the leadership and staff of the JDWC for the progress made within six months of its operationalisation, describing the achievements as commendable.
In his earlier remarks, the Director General of the JDWC, Major General AE Edet, said the workshop aligned with the Centre’s mandate to develop operational doctrines for addressing contemporary security challenges.
Edet explained that the programme was conducted in two phases, with the first two days dedicated to Nigerian personnel and the remaining sessions involving regional participants. He said the goal was to develop a high-level tri-service cadre of doctrine writers, editors and validators capable of harmonising joint warfare concepts across the Services.
He thanked the Chief of Defence Staff for providing strategic leadership and acknowledged the support of the British Defence Staff (West Africa) for facilitating resource persons from the United Kingdom, as well as contributions from retired senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
According to him, the diversity of expertise brought together at the workshop would strengthen joint operations, enhance regional capacity building and improve multi-agency cooperation.
