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The new service chiefs and their profiles

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New Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, removed all Service Chiefs and replaced them with new ones, with Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa replacing General Lucky Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff.

See the profile of the new Chief of Defence Staff below:

  1. Name: Christopher Gwabin Musa.
  2. Date/Place of Birth: 25 Dec 1967 – Sokoto.
  3. State of Origin/LGA: Kaduna State/Zangon Kataf.
  4. Corps: Infantry.
  5. Member of the 38th Infantry Course Nigerian Defence Army.
  6. Commissioned on 21 September 1991.

CIVIL EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

a. Marafa Danbaba Primary School Sokoto – 1974 – 1978.
b. Model Primary School Dorowa Road Sokoto – 1978 – 1980.
c. Vocational Training Centre Gaummi, Sokoto – 1980 – 1981.
d. Federal Government College Sokoto – 1981 – 1985.
e. College of Advanced Studies, Zaria – 1985 – 1986.
f. BSc Hons-(Chn) – Nigerian Defence Academy – 1986 – 1990.
g. Advanced Diploma in Security Management –University of Lagos
– 2007 – 2008.
h. MSc (Mil Science) International College of Defence Studies-National Defence
University Changing – Beijing China – 2012 – 2013.

Military/Civil Courses

a. Nigerian Defence Academy as member of the 38th RC- 21 Sep 1991.
b. Mechanical Transportation Officers Course – 1992.
c. Young Officers Course (Infantry) – 1993.
Regimental Signal Officers Course – 1998.
e. Junior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
– 2000.
f. Senior Course at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji
– 2004 – 2005.
g. Advance Diploma in Defence and Strategies Course (China) – International
College of Defense Studies National Defense University (ICDS-NDU) – ChangPing
China – 2013.
h. MSc (Military Science) – ICDS-BDU (China) – 2013.
i. National Dfence College at ICDS (China) – 2013.
j. Combined Joint Land Component Commander’s Course on Leadership at the
US Army War College. – 2017.

APPOINTMENTS HELD

a. Platoon Commander at 192 Bn – 1991.
b. Intelligence Officer at 192 Bn – 1993 – 1994.
c. Administrative Officer at 2 Div Camp (Garrison) – 1995 – 1999.
d. Pioneer Adjutant 195 Bn – 2000.
e. Operations Officer – NIBATT 8 UNAMSIL – 2001 – 2002.
f. 195 Bn 2ic – 2002 – 2003.
g. 149 Bn 2ic – 2005 – 2006.
h. General Staff Officer 1 Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division 2006 – 2007.
i. Commanding Officer 73 Bn – 2007 – 2009.
j. Assistant Director Operational Requirement at Department of Army Policy and
Plans – 2009 – 2011.
k. Infantry Representative/Member Training Team at HQ Nigerian Army Armour
Corps – 2011 – 2012.
l. Deputy Chief of Staff Training/Operations at HQ Infantry Centre and Corp
– 2013 – 2014.
m. Chief of Staff at HQ 2 Division – 2014 – 2015.
n. Commandant Depot Nigerian Army – 2015 – 2017.
o. Principal Staff Officer (Combat Arms) at Army HQ Department of Projects and
Programmes – 2017.
p. Pioneer Executive Director Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Ltd
– 2017
q. Commander 82 Division Task Force Brigade OP LAST HOLD in the North East
– 2018.
r. Commander Sector 3 OP LAFIYA DOLE – 2019.
s. Comd Sect 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Tchad Region
– 2019.
t. Chief of General Duties TRADOC – 2019 – 2020.
u. Director Campaign Planning AHQ DATOPs – 2020.
v. Director Training AHQ-DATOPs – 2020.
w. Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Army Research Centre
– 2021.
x. Theatre Comd JTF (NE) Op HADIN KAI – 2021 till date.

OPERATIONS ATTENDED

a. OP MESA.
b. OP SECOND HEAVEN.
c. OP FOCUS RELIEF, (Joint Training/Ops with the US Troops)
– 2000.
d. United Nation Mission in Sierra Leone – 2001 – 200.
e. OP HAKURI – 2002 – 2003.
f. OP SAFE CONDUCT – 2007.
g. OP RESTORE HOPE – 2007 – 2008.
h. OP SAFE CONDUCT – 2015.
i. OP AYAM APATUMEH – 2018.
j. OP LAST HOLD – 2018.
k. OP LAFIYA DOLE – 2019.
l. Multi-National Joint Task Force Lake Tchad – 2019.
m. OP KANTANA JIMLAM – 2020.
n. JTF (NE) Op HADIN KAI – 2021 till date.

HONOURS/AWARDS

a. BSc Hons (Chn) NDA – 1990.
b. UNAMSIL Medal – 2002.
c. Passed Staff Course (psc) – 2004 – 2005.
d. Forces Service Star – 2003.
e. Meritorious Service Star – 2009.
f. Distinguished Service Star – 2015.
g. Member Nigerian Institute of Management – 2008.
h. Advance Diploma in Security Management at Unilag – 2008.
i. Member Nigerian Institute of Industrial Security – 2008.
j General Operation Medal – 2009.
k. Command Medal (CO 73 Bn) – 2009.
l. Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award – 2009.
m. Silver Jubilee Medal – 2010.
n. Meritorious Service – 2012.
o. Fellow-NDU (ICDS-NDU)-ChangPing China – 2013.
p. Masters in Military Science at the ICDS-NDU China – 2013.
q. Diploma in Defense and Strategy ICDS-NDU Chin – 2013.
r. Centenary Medal – 2014.
s. Distinguished Service Star – 2016.
t. Training Support Medal – 2017.
u. OP LAST HOLD Medal – 2018.
v. OP LAFIYA DOLE Medal – 2019.
w. MNJTF Medal – 2021.
x. Grand Service Star (GSS) – 21 Sep 21.
y. Field Commander Medal of Honour (FCMH) – Jun 21 – till date.
z. Operation HADIN KAI Medal (OPHK) – Jun 21 – till date.

New Chief Of Army Staff, Abiodun Lagbaja

Major General Lagbaja replaces Lt-Gen Faruk Yahaya, who was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.

Early Life

a. Born in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, Osun State on 28 February 1968.

b. Attended Local Authority Teachers College Demonstration School Osogbo between 1973 – 1979.

c. Attended St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo from 1979 – 1984.

d. Attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan from 1984 to 1986 and obtained West African School Certificate (Advanced Level).

e. Admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy on 12 September 1987 as a member of 39th Regular Course.

f. Commissioned as 2Lt on 19 September 1992 into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.

Courses Attended

a. Company Amphibious Operations Course – Amphibious Training School (May – June 1993). – C.

b. Young Officers’ Course (Infantry) – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (September – December 1993). – C+

c. Basic Airborne Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (March – April 1995). – Not Graded

d. Advanced Airborne Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (November – December 1995). – Not Graded

e. Amphibious Staff Operations Course – Amphibious Training School (September – December 1997). – C

f. Company Commanders’ Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (February – May 2003). – C+

g. Battalion Commanders’ Course – Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (September – December 2009). – B

h. Junior Staff Course – Armed Forces Command and Staff (May – December 2000). – C+

i. Senior Staff Course – Armed Forces Command and Staff (August 2005 – July 2006). – C+

j. Military Observers Course – Peacekeeping Wing Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (February – May 2008). – B

k. ECOWAS Standby Force Battalion Command Post Course – Peacekeeping Centre, Bamako, Mali – (June – August 2010). – Not Graded

l. Strategy and Leadership Course – US Army War College (April 2003 – June 2014). – Not Graded

Command/Staff/Instructional Appointments

a. 93 Battalion – 1992 – 1995 as a Platoon commander.

b. 72 Special Forces Battalion – 1995 – 2001 as a Platoon commander.

c. Nigerian Defence Academy – 2001 – 2004 as an Instructor.

d. Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations – 2004 – Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping.

e. Armed Forces Command and Staff College – July 2005 – February 2006 – Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of training.

f. Armed Forces Command and Staff College – 2006 – 2009 – Directing Staff.

g. Headquarters 81 Division – 2009 – 2012 – Deputy Chief of Staff G1 (Administration).

h. 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi – 2012 – 2013 and 2014 – 2015 –Commanding Officer.

i. Headquarters 8 Task Force Division Monguno – 2016 – 2017 – Chief of Staff.

j. Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations – January – December 2018 – Acting Director of Operations.

k. Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Lagos State – December 2018 – April 2019 – Commander.

l. Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State – April 2019 – January 2020 – Commander.

m. Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations – January 2020 – March 2021 – Director Force Generation.

n. Headquarters 82 Division – March 2021 – August 2022 – General Officer Commanding.

o. Headquarters 1 Division – August 2022 – Date – General Officer Commanding.

Promotion History

a. Second Lieutenant – 12 September 1987.

b. Lieutenant – 12 September 1991.

c. Captain – 12 September 1995.

d. Major – 12 September 2000.

e. Lieutenant Colonel – 12 September 2005.

f. Colonel – 12 September 2010.

g. Brigadier General – 12 September 2015.

h. Major General – 12 September 2019.

Honours/Awards

a. Forces Service Star.

b. Meritorious Service Star.

c. Distinguished Service Star.

d. Passed Staff Course (+).

e. Fellows United States Army War College.

f. Command Medal.

g. Field Command Medal.

h. Field Command Medal of Honour.

i. General Operations Medal.

j. Operation Harmony Medal.

k. United Nations Peacekeeping Operation Medal.

l. Operation LAFIYA DOLE Medal.

Academic Qualifications

a. Bsc Geography – Nigerian Defence Academy (2001).

b. Msc Strategic Studies – US Army War College (2014).

Operations Participated

a. Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula – January 1996 – June 2000.

b. United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) – 2004 – 2005.

c. Operation ZAKI – September 2012 – April 2013/July 2014 – December 2015 – Internal Security Operation in Benue State.

d. Operation LAFIYA DOLE – December 2015 – January 2018.

e. Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA – March 2021 – August 2022 – Internal Security Operation in South East Zone Nigeria (Anambra/Abia/Ebonyi/Enugu and Imo States).

f. Operation FOREST SANITY – Aug 2022 – Date – Internal Security Operation in Kaduna/Niger States.

Marital Status

Happily married to Mrs Mariya Abiodun-Lagbaja and the marriage is blessed with two children.

Hobbies

Watching documentary and reading biographies.

New Chief Of Naval Staff, Ikechukwu Ogalla

Ogalla replaces Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021.

See Rear Admiral Ogalla’s profile below:

Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla was born on December 20, 1968 in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

He obtained the West African School Certificate from the NMS Zaria in June, 1987 where he graduated as the ‘Best Boy’ in Sciences.

He is a member of the 39 RC NDA, graduated with a BSc in Mathematics and was awarded Sword of Honour as the best naval cadet in his course.

He was commissioned S Lt on September 16, 1992 and rose to the rank of R Adm wef on September 16, 21. He completed the STC NNS QUORRA, Basic Hydrography National Hydrographic School India in May 2000, Junior and Senior Staff Courses AFCSC Jaji in Nov 01 and Jul 06 respectively. He was a participant of NDC Course 22 and was awarded fdc in Aug 14.

As part of the Course, he took part in the MSc Strategic Studies programme, University of Ibadan from 2014 to 2015.

The senior officer served on board many ships including NNS AMBE, ARADU, LANA, EKUN, AGU, QUORRA, BEECROFT, DELTA and PATHFINDER.

While on board NNS EKUN, he took part in the ECOMOG Operations in Liberia in 1996. Also as the Base operations officer in NNS PATHFINDER, he was responsible for coordinating anti illegal bunkering operations as well the entire policing duties of the base.

During the period there was a remarkable reduction in illegal activities in the maritime area within the base area of operations.

The senior officer also served as Instructor, CI and Comdt NNHS, SO 1 Survey and DD Instruments NNHO, ADCP, DD Hydro and DPR NHQ, as well as DS/ DARAS NDC and D Audit NASS NHQ. He is currently the DLL NHQ.

During his cumulative 6-year tour of duty in NNHS, he taught geodesy, datum conversion, tidal predictions and analysis, satellite surveying, bathymetry, among others.

As Comdt, he linked the School with Teledyn Marines, a reputable OEM in the US, which enabled the NN to procure several survey equipment from the company, leading to improvements in practical training.

He was also instrumental to the review of the School’s curriculum to align with IHO requirements. During his tour of duty in the NNHO, the senior officer was instrumental to the localisation of tidal prediction and analysis.

He participated in the FAO sponsored Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem survey in 2004 and provided professional inputs during the survey and production of the NNHO charts.

During his tour of duty at the NDC, he contributed towards the improvement of the College research package and also led the 2018 participants research study tour to China and South Korea.

As DLL he was responsible for collating and analysing previous NN Operations and activities with the objective of drawing lessons necessary for doctrinal and operational improvements.

The Senior officer is decorated with FSS, MSS, DSS and GSS. He is a member of the Nigerian Hydrographic Society, Nigerian Institute of Management, the International Earth Rotation Services and also a fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association of the UK.

He is married to Mrs Ijeoma Ogalla and the marriage is blessed with two children.

His hobbies include jugging, reading, listening and researching about science and nature.

Nigeria’s New Air Chief, Bala Abubakar

He replaces Air Vice Marshal Ishiaka Amao, who was appointed as the former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.

Background

Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar was born on 11 September 1970. He hails from Shanono Local Government Area in Kano State. He enlisted into the NAF as a member of NDA RC 39 and commissioned Pilot Offr on September 19, 1992.

COURSES ATTENDED AND QUALIFICATIONS

The Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command has attended several courses. Some of these include:

Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna.
Ab initio and Basic Flying Training Courses at the 301 Flying Training School Kaduna.
Basic and Advance Airborne Courses at Nigerian Army Infantry Center and School Jaji.
Company Amphibious Operations Course at Nigerian Army Infantry Center and School in Calabar.
Junior and Senior Command and Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji and
National Defence Course at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, Cairo – Egypt.
Master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from ABU Zaria.

PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS

The very senior officer has held several appointments, some of which are:

Admin Officer 16 Engineering Wing, 1 Engineering Group NAF Makurdi.
Officer Commanding Admin Services Flight/ Group Public Relations Officer, 97 Special Operations Group NAF Port Harcourt.
Officer Commanding Yellow Squadron – Air Force Military School Jos.
Admin Officer Primary Flying Training Wing – 301 FTS NAF Kaduna.
SO1 Admin 301 FTS NAF Kaduna.
Officer Commanding ‘B’ Squadron (Do 228) – 81 Air Maritime Group NAF Benin.
Team Leader MILOB Team Site 615 Mahagi (Ituri Brigade) MONUC.
Aviation Planning Officer, MONUC Air Operations Kinshasa, DRC.
Commanding Officer Base Services Wing 81 Air Maritime Group Nigerian Air force Benin.
Operations Officer Operational Conversion Unit 88 Military Airlift group Nigerian air Force Lagos.
Operations Officer 88 Military Airlift Group Ikeja Lagos. Commanding Officer 21 Wing 88 Military Airlift Group Lagos.
Group Safety Officer 88 Military Airlift Group Ikeja Lagos.
Fleet operation officer – 011Presidential Air Fleet.
Commander 011 Presidential Air Fleet.
Chief of Staff, Mobility Command.
Director of Policy, HQ NAF and lastly
Director of Operations, HQ NAF
Air Officer Commanding Logistics Command.
Currently the Chief of Standards and Operations, HQ NAF.

AWARDS/DECORATIONS

The senior officer has earned several awards and decorations, some of these include:

Distinguished Service Star.
Passed Staff Course (psc)
Fellow Defence College
Masters in International Affairs.
Member National Institute of Management.
Member Chartered Institute of Public Management.
Member Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals.

MARITAL STATUS AND HOBBIES

Air Vice Marshal HB Abubakar is happily married with children and in his leisure time, the senior officer enjoys flying airplanes, reading, reflecting and keeping fit.

New IGP, Kayode Egbetokun

Egbetokun replaces Usman Baba, who was appointed as the Inspector General of Police by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.

Born on 4th September, 1964 from the Egbado South Local Government Area of Ogun State, Egetokun enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet ASP (Course 16) on March 3, 1990.

He possesses the following:

 Bsc ( ED ) ( Hons ) Mathematics – University of Lagos

 Msc Engineering Analysis – University of Lagos

 Certification in Electronic Data Processing and Computer Programming, all from University of Lagos

 Masters in Business Administration from the Lagos State University

 PGD Petroleum Economic from Delta State University

 PhD Peace and Security Studies from Al-hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State

COURSES / CONFERENCES ATTENDED INCLUDE:

 Close Protection Course in United Kingdom

 Squadron Commander , Combat Ops Course at PMF Training College (Desert Camp Gwoza and Forest Camp lla)

 Advanced Detective Course, Police Staff College, Jos

 Intermediate Command Course, Police Staff College Jos

 Strategic Leadership Course, Police Staff College Jos

 He attended the Global Conference on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats held in Lyon France in 2018

 He is a Member Society for Peace and Security Practice and a Scholar in Peace and Security Studies.

He has worked in various commands, formations and departments of the police including:

 Chief Security Officer to Governor of Lagos State from 1999-2005

 Commander RRS Lagos State Command 2005-2007

 O/C Anti – Fraud , FCT Command Abuja

 CSP Admin, Lagos State Command

 Area Commander Osogbo – Osun State

 Area Commander Gusau – Zamfara State

 Commandant Police Training School ( PTS ) Ikeja Lagos State

 Deputy Commandant Police College Ikeja Lagos State

 Commissioner of Police Servicom Force Headquarters Abuja

 Commissioner of Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal ( EOD ) FHQ

 Commissioner of Police Kwara State Command

 Commissioner of Police Admin Medical Faloma Lagos State

 AIG Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja

 DIG Force Criminal Investigations Department, FHQ, Abuja

CURRENT POSTING – Ag. Inspector-General of Police

HOBBIES:

 He loves reading , plays Table Tennis and recreational football

 He follows Chelsea in English Premier League and European Champions League

MARITAL STATUS: Happily married with Children

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New Terror Group Lukarawa Establishes Presence in Sokoto, Bauchi

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***Operates Across 10 Local Government Areas

The newly identified terror group, Lukarawa, has reportedly set up camps across 10 local government areas in Sokoto and Bauchi states, with a growing influence and activities in the region.
Although their presence was only recently confirmed to the public, the group is believed to have been planning their operations for years, with camps established near the Nigeria-Niger border before expanding into Nigerian territories.

According to local sources, Lukarawa initially operated in remote areas bordering Nigeria and Niger, including villages like Gwanaguano and Mulawa.
The group is known to move frequently, setting up temporary camps in communities like Tangaza and Gudu in Sokoto State, which they’ve named “Darul Islam.”
The group’s members, estimated to be between 18 and 50 years old, use Hausa, Fulfulde, and Arabic in their activities.
Their leaders, reportedly including Abu Khadijah, Abdulrahaman (Idi), and Musa Walia, enforce “taxes” on livestock in local communities, collecting a percentage of cattle from residents in Gudu, Tangaza, and Illela.

Dr. Murtala Rufa’i, a researcher at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, revealed that Lukarawa has been operating with the goal of establishing a caliphate.
The group’s constant movement, primarily on motorcycles, makes it challenging for security forces to locate them.
Rufa’i estimates that the group has between 1,500 and 1,800 followers, including clerics and youths in Tangaza and Gudu, the ancestral home of Lukarawa’s leaders.

The group has been active in Tangaza, Gudu, Illela, and other LGAs in Sokoto State and even extends into parts of Kebbi State. Lukarawa has also attracted followers by providing locals with cash, agricultural support, and pumping machines, appealing to those struggling with poverty.

Although security agencies dislodged the group around 2020, they reportedly regrouped in late 2023. The group is said to have origins linked to Jama’atu Muslimina, a Sahelian terror network, and its leader, Ahmadu Kofa, is believed to be Malian-based, with ancestral ties to the Kebbi region in Nigeria.

Residents in affected areas are reluctant to report the group due to fear, as Lukarawa has reportedly warned locals against sharing information, claiming they monitor communities with drones. One resident in Tangaza LGA, identified as Mainasara, recounted the recent abduction and killing of a youth suspected of cooperating with security forces.

Government Response

The National Counter-Terrorism Centre has assessed Lukarawa’s active fighters to be around 150, describing the group as “insignificant” but noting its recruitment efforts to expand its influence. Speaking to journalists, Major General Adamu Laka, the National Coordinator of the Centre, assured that counter-terrorism efforts are underway and downplayed the threat posed by Lukarawa, asserting that the group would soon be neutralized.

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Acting Army Chief, Oluyede in Sokoto over rising threat from new terror group ‘Lakurawa’

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Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede

The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has arrived in Sokoto for his first operational visit to the 8th Division Area of Responsibility, following reports of increased terrorist activities by a new group, ‘Lakurawa,’ in Sokoto and Kebbi states.

During his visit, General Oluyede will engage with the Sultan of Sokoto and other local leaders and stakeholders, as well as troops involved in Operation Fasan Yamma, the military’s counter-terrorism effort in the northwest.

His visit is coming just days after the Defence Headquarters confirmed the emergence of Lakurawa, a terror group believed to be linked to militants in the Sahel, particularly from Mali and Niger.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, explained that the group’s rise follows recent regional instability and the breakdown of security collaboration between Nigeria and Niger after the recent coup in Niger.

“We’re now facing a new terrorist sect in the northwest region known as Lakurawa. They’ve been identified as affiliates of terror networks in Mali and Niger,” General Buba said. “Their infiltration is centered in northern Nigeria, mainly Sokoto and Kebbi states.”

Five local government areas in Sokoto are reportedly under threat from the group, which has intensified local security challenges.
In response, Nigerian troops have scaled up their operations to contain Lakurawa’s spread, with intensified patrols and surveillance in affected regions.
The military has also released a list of nine individuals wanted in connection with the security issues facing the northwest.

General Oluyede’s visit reaffirms the military’s resolve to combat the rise in terrorism and reinforce security efforts in vulnerable regions. By meeting local leaders and frontline troops, the Acting Army Chief is reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to stabilizing the region and protecting communities from emerging threats.

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Nigeria Fortifies Cyber Defenses with Landmark Workshop to Safeguard Critical Infrastructure

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Wale Edun, Mohammed Badaru and Nuhu Ribadu.

In a decisive move to strengthen Nigeria’s defenses against cyber threats, the Federal Government has hosted a Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Protection and Resilience Workshop, bringing together key policymakers, security agencies, and sector regulators at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.

The workshop, a landmark event aimed at fortifying cybersecurity across critical sectors, saw the participation of high-profile leaders including Finance Minister Wale Edun, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Director of Information and Public Relations Muhammed Manga in a statement said the workshop underscored the growing importance of cybersecurity in protecting Nigeria’s digital infrastructure amidst a global rise in cyber threats.
The statement quoted Edun to have highlighted the urgency of safeguarding digital assets, noting a surge in cyber threats impacting government and private sectors.
“To truly understand the extent of the commitment made to cybersecurity, one only needs to look at this gathering of our nation’s foremost leaders,” Edun stated, adding that Nigeria’s cybersecurity efforts are critical for both national security and economic resilience.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu outlined the workshop’s key objectives, emphasizing a coordinated strategy to protect Nigeria’s digital landscape from cyber-attacks.
Ribadu explained that the event was integral to fulfilling an executive mandate under the amended Cybercrimes Act, which authorizes the designation of essential computer systems and networks as critical infrastructure.
This designation mandates their protection, ensuring the security of key systems that support both the nation’s security and its economic infrastructure.

The workshop attracted significant stakeholders in national security and governance, including EFCC Executive Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede, NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Audi, and Nigeria Governors’ Forum Director General Abdulateef Shittu, reflecting the priority given to cybersecurity at the highest levels of government.

The event will culminate in a strategic action plan aimed at fortifying cybersecurity resilience across Nigeria’s essential infrastructure sectors.
This comprehensive roadmap will guide efforts to implement effective cybersecurity measures to ensure the resilience

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