The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has convened a high-level international forum to review and reposition the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in response to evolving security threats in the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel.
Defence Minister, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), made the call on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, while declaring open the two-day forum at the National Defence College, Abuja.
The forum, organised by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the Irregular Warfare Centre of the National Defence College, is themed: “Repositioning the Multinational Joint Task Force to Effectively Combat Evolving Threat Dynamics in the Lake Chad Region.”
General Musa noted that 11 years after its establishment, the MNJTF remains a key instrument in combating terrorism, transnational crime and other security threats across the Lake Chad Basin.
He, however, stressed that the changing security environment requires a reassessment of the Task Force’s structure, capabilities, intelligence, command and control, logistics and financing.
The Defence Minister urged participants to develop practical and sustainable measures to strengthen the MNJTF, particularly amid emerging threats in the Sahel and changing patterns of international support.
He expressed optimism that the participation of the African Union, European Union, Lake Chad Basin Commission, troop-contributing countries, former and serving Force Commanders and other strategic stakeholders would produce actionable recommendations for strengthening the Task Force.
General Musa further assured that the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Nigeria would give due attention to the outcome of the forum, noting that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu considers the MNJTF an important instrument of regional security and collective African action.
In his welcome remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede, described the forum as a timely platform for military practitioners, policymakers, academics and strategic partners to assess the experience, relevance and future employment of the MNJTF.
The CDS emphasised the need for sustained cooperation, intelligence sharing, interoperability, mutual trust and adaptable collective responses to emerging security threats.
He called for candid and forward-looking deliberations capable of producing practical recommendations to strengthen the MNJTF and enhance security across the Lake Chad Basin and the wider Sahel.
The forum brings together senior military and security officials, policymakers, academics, practitioners and strategic partners to examine the future of the MNJTF and identify practical pathways for strengthening collective security in the region.
