12 MARCH 2025
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, MON, on Tuesday, 12 March 2025, served as Special Guest of Honour at a gala night held in honour of the Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) of ECOWAS Member States. The event, which took place at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, was convened on the margins of the 43rd Ordinary Meeting of the ECOWAS CCDS, hosted in Abuja, Nigeria.
The event was hosted by the Chief of Defence Staff, Armed Forces of Nigeria, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, who also serves as the Chairman, ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff.
In his address, HM Matawalle reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to regional security cooperation, and to the principles of collective defence and operational solidarity within the ECOWAS subregion.
The Honourable Minister highlighted the multidimensional threats confronting the region, including terrorism, violent extremism, maritime insecurity, and transnational organized crime. He emphasized that the prevailing and emerging security threats necessitate a comprehensive and coordinated regional response.
“Our region stands at a critical crossroads. No single nation can afford to confront these threats in isolation. We must continue to forge a unified front—through timely intelligence sharing, harmonized operational strategies, and enhanced force capabilities—to neutralize threats and uphold regional peace and stability.”
HM Matawalle reiterated Nigeria’s full support for the operationalization of ECOWAS security frameworks and regional standby mechanisms, and urged all Chiefs of Defence Staff to strengthen interoperability, professionalism, and cohesive force posture.
“As defence partners, we bear the collective responsibility—and possess the shared capability—to build a stronger, safer, and more secure West Africa.”
The event marked a reaffirmation of regional defence solidarity and the strategic importance of sustained collaboration among ECOWAS Armed Forces.
Ahmad Dan-Wudil
Personal Assistant (Media)
Office of the Honourable Minister of State for Defence
13 March 2025
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