Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff, has linked Nigeria’s persistent security problems to volatility within the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel, and the Gulf of Guinea. Addressing attendees at the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration in Port Harcourt, he emphasized that these regional pressures complicate the domestic landscape.
The military is currently managing a diverse array of threats, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and cybercrime. These are further intensified by unsecured borders and the spread of small arms. To counter this, the Army is shifting its tactics, adopting new technologies such as artificial intelligence and unmanned aerial systems to modernize warfare.
Despite these obstacles, General Oluyede highlighted the service’s progress through improved intelligence, inter-agency cooperation, and community partnerships. A key focus remains the protection of civilians; the Army has introduced human rights oversight mechanisms and stricter engagement rules to foster trust. Looking forward, the military intends to prioritize the welfare and ethics of its personnel while continuing to invest in digital data analysis and professional development to maintain regional stability.
