Tinubu: No Nation Can Fight Terrorism Alone, We Need Allies

Tinubu Urges African Unity Against Terrorism, Proposes Defence Chiefs Forum

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emphasized the urgent need for collective African action to tackle the continent’s growing security threats, warning that terrorism and transnational crimes cannot be defeated in isolation.

Speaking during the maiden African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit 2025 held in Abuja, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, called for a fresh doctrine of continental defence based on trust, shared intelligence, and strategic coordination.

According to iReporter Online, Tinubu stated that the scale and complexity of threats such as insurgency, cybercrime, and piracy demand a united response from all African nations.

“What is true of our challenges must also be true of our resolve. We cannot neutralise these threats in isolation,” he declared.

He proposed the establishment of a permanent African Chiefs of Defence Staff Forum, which would serve as a platform for sustained dialogue, joint strategy development, and operational coordination across the continent.

According to iReporter Online, the Nigerian leader noted that Africa’s interconnectedness—geographically and culturally—means nations must see themselves as one family where “defence is the first expression of love.”

“Our nations are more than neighbours. We are bound by destiny. Let us build defence frameworks where institutions across Africa speak with one voice and act with one purpose,” Tinubu said.

In addition to proposing stronger regional ties, the president stressed the importance of modernising Africa’s defence posture. He urged nations to invest in cyber defence, artificial intelligence, and indigenous military technologies, noting that Africa must become a creator, not just a consumer, of technology.

“This summit should not end with ovations,” Tinubu added. “We must leave here with a commitment to deepen cooperation—through joint training, harmonised doctrines, and interoperable systems.”

According to iReporter Online, Tinubu also paid tribute to fallen soldiers across the continent and called for their sacrifices to be immortalised through strong institutions and shared values.

Other speakers at the summit, including Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the ECOWAS Commission, and Deputy UN Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, echoed the president’s sentiments.

They stressed the need for African-led solutions, enhanced cooperation, and strategic partnerships, especially in light of evolving technological threats.

The summit, hosted in Abuja, marked a major milestone in Africa’s collective defence ambition, aligning with Tinubu’s broader security vision for the continent.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”