Abuja: The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, emphasized the necessity for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to be adaptive and innovative in order to address emerging security threats and challenges effectively. This call to action was delivered at the Second Quarter 2025 Defence Headquarters and Services Transformation Seminar in Abuja, where Ogalla was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Navy), Rear Adm. Ibrahim Dewu.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the seminar, themed 'Transforming the Future, Leveraging Lessons Learned to Build a More Adaptive and Innovative Military', highlighted the importance of modernization and strategic foresight to stay ahead in a complex security environment. Ogalla noted that Nigeria's security landscape is constantly evolving, necessitating continuous innovation and adaptability in strategic and operational military planning.
Ogalla remarked that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have shown dedication over the years to modernizing military systems and strategies to safeguard national interests. He pointed out that the seminar's theme underscores the importance of learning from past operations to refine doctrines and structures, thereby implementing adaptive measures to maintain an edge on the battlefield. This focus aligns with the Chief of Defence Staff's vision of fostering a proactive defense culture across the services, emphasizing institutional learning and doctrinal evolution.
The seminar featured input from the Chief of Naval Transformation, Rear Adm. Monday Unurhiere, represented by Rear Adm. John Okeke, who stated that the event aimed to discuss contemporary issues facing the armed forces. Unurhiere highlighted the objective of exploring viable approaches to cultivating a more adaptive and innovative military to enhance operational and administrative effectiveness.
Rear Adm. Habila Zakaria, Director of Transformation, Defence Headquarters, commented on the sidelines about the need for innovative approaches to address evolving security challenges. He emphasized that the changing nature of threats impacts military doctrine and operations, necessitating the development of strategies to preemptively counter these threats.