General Musa Leads Civil-Military Reset in Nigeria

Under General Musa’s Watch, Nigeria’s Military Reimagines Civil-Military Relations at Landmark Conference

In a decisive and visionary shift, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, is championing a groundbreaking effort to redefine the relationship between the military and the civilians it serves. The Defence Headquarters has launched the Maiden Annual Civil-Military Relations Conference, held from 19 to 20 June 2025 at the Armed Forces Officers Mess in Asokoro, Abuja—a pivotal moment in the nation’s evolving security strategy.

With the theme “Winning Hearts and Minds: Non-Kinetic Approaches to National Security,” the conference reflects General Musa’s people-first philosophy—one that elevates trust, cooperation, and empathy above sheer military might in confronting Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges.

“The Chief of Defence Staff has always emphasised that the people are at the heart of our operations,” stated Rear Admiral Olusanya Bankole, Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations. “We are not an occupying force; we come from the same communities we serve. This conference reaffirms the truth that national security cannot thrive without public trust.”

In his keynote address, General Musa delivered a powerful message:

“This initiative urges us to think beyond weapons and warfare. We must invest in human security, build resilient communities, and promote the idea that every Nigerian—uniformed or not—has a stake in peace and prosperity.”

This is far more than a ceremonial gathering. The conference serves as a cornerstone of a broader, long-term strategic agenda, drawing inspiration from global models where non-kinetic strategies have delivered transformative outcomes.

Learning from Global Case Studies

Across Latin America, Southeast Asia, and East Africa, effective civil-military partnerships have proven to be game-changers in rebuilding peace and restoring legitimacy.

In Colombia, the “Hearts and Minds” programme enabled military units to collaborate with civil society to reintegrate former rebels, deliver basic services, and rebuild trust—especially in post-conflict zones.

Indonesia’s TMMD programme transformed soldiers into agents of development, deploying them to construct schools, roads, and clinics in underserved regions, reshaping public perception of the military.

In Kenya, following the Garissa attacks, the government embraced soft-power engagements—medical missions, educational support, and interfaith dialogues—that successfully restored confidence in security agencies.

“These are not merely foreign success stories,” Rear Admiral Bankole emphasised. “They offer blueprints we can adapt to our national context. This conference is a step toward creating Nigeria’s own model of success.”

A Timely, Homegrown Response

With Nigeria continuing to confront insurgency, banditry, and separatist threats, this initiative arrives at a critical juncture. Rebuilding trust in communities marked by trauma and tension has become not just a moral necessity but a strategic imperative.

By bringing together stakeholders from civil society, traditional institutions, development agencies, and the security sector, the Defence Headquarters is making a bold statement: national security is everyone’s responsibility.

Institutionalising Civil-Military Dialogue

This is not a one-off event. The conference will now be held annually as a permanent platform for engagement and reflection. Civil-military relations will no longer be reactive or symbolic—they will be systematic, sustained, and deeply embedded in Nigeria’s evolving security doctrine.

Under General Musa’s leadership, the Armed Forces are being redefined as a more people-centred institution—one that listens as much as it leads.

In today’s complex security landscape, where legitimacy, intelligence-sharing, and local cooperation are paramount, this shift could become Nigeria’s most potent strategic advantage.

In General Musa’s Nigeria, the military is not above the people. It is among the people. With the people. For the people.