“A Bond Forged in Sacrifice”  -Nigerian Army Chief Proposes Revolutionary ‘Whole-of-Government’ Security Model for Liberia

MONROVIA – Nigeria has signaled a major shift in regional defense strategy, with the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, calling for an integrated “Whole-of-Government” security architecture to shield West Africa from the rising tide of drug trafficking, cyber warfare, and maritime piracy.

Delivering the keynote address at Liberia’s 69th Armed Forces Day celebration on Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Shaibu reaffirmed that Nigeria’s commitment to Liberian stability remains a “shining example of African brotherhood,” while unveiling a roadmap for modernizing the sub-region’s defense capabilities.

Beyond Traditional Warfare: The New Security Paradigm

Addressing the theme, “Securing Liberia Together: Strengthening Inter-Agency Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking and Emerging Security Threats,” Lt. Gen. Shaibu warned that the era of the military acting as a silo is over.

“In the contemporary security environment, no single agency, no matter how well-equipped, can counter security threats alone,” he cautioned. He noted that modern threats are transnational and exploit governance gaps and socio-economic vulnerabilities.

The “Whole-of-Government” Blueprint

Drawing from Nigeria’s successful joint task force (JTF) models, Lt. Gen. Shaibu advocated for a security framework that moves beyond brute force to include intelligence fusion and social engineering.

Key pillars of the proposed model include:

• Unified Command (The JTF Model): Eliminating “turf wars” by integrating the Army, Navy, and Air Force with police and paramilitary agencies under a single, coordinated command.
• Intelligence Fusion: Creating a centralized hub where the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC) and field military intelligence pool data to dismantle trafficking networks.
• The “Whole-of-Society” Layer: Recognizing that security begins with the people. This involves leveraging local leadership for “human intelligence” and addressing the root causes of extremism through education and job creation.
• Maritime Domain Awareness: Utilizing technological innovation to secure Liberia’s 200-nautical-mile offshore zone against piracy and unregulated fishing.

“The proliferation of synthetic drugs poses a grave danger to our youth and fuels organized crime,” the General stated. “We must dismantle these networks through robust legal frameworks and coordinated operations.”

Support for a “Force for Good”

The Nigerian Army Chief expressed pride in Nigeria’s role in transforming the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) into what he termed a “force for good.” He assured the government of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai that Nigeria, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would remain a “steadfast partner” in capacity building and regional security initiatives.

“We stood together during the most challenging times, and today we stand together in celebration,” he told the gathered dignitaries, including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Defense Minister: Mirroring the Call for Synergy

Also addressing dignitaries, service members, veterans and international partners at the national celebration, Minister of National Defense Brig. Gen. (Rtd.) Geraldine Janet George paid tribute to Liberia’s fallen heroes and veterans, whose sacrifices, she said, form the “moral foundation” upon which today’s Armed Forces stand.

Brig. Gen. (Rtd.) Geraldine Janet George, emphasized that the AFL is already moving toward this integrated model. She highlighted several 2023 milestones that align with the “Whole-of-Government” philosophy:

• Military Self-Sufficiency: The AFL Agriculture Company recently completed its first harvest of 125 bags of rice, contributing to national food security.
• Economic Security: The Liberian Coast Guard has intensified patrols to safeguard the nation’s natural maritime resources.
• Health Infrastructure: The expansion of the 14 Military Hospital into a digitalized facility serving both military and civilian needs.

Minister George also announced the launch of the Ministry of National Defense Strategic Plan 2026–2030 on January 16, 2026. This plan, she noted, serves as the formal roadmap for the modernization and professional education the Nigerian Army Chief advocated for.

5. Future Outlook: Strategic Plan 2026–2030

A critical takeaway for the diplomatic community is the scheduled launch of the Ministry of National Defense Strategic Plan 2026–2030 on January 16, 2026. This document will provide the legal and budgetary roadmap for:

• Modernizing professional military education.
• Strengthening civilian oversight.
• Increasing female representation in the AFL from 7% to 20% (supported by a $663k UN Women grant).

6. Diplomatic Implications

The decoration of two senior Nigerian officers with the Distinguished Service Order of Liberia signals an deepening of “Defense Diplomacy.” Attachés should note that the sub-regional focus is shifting toward Inter-Agency Intelligence Sharing. Partners are encouraged to align their capacity-building efforts with the “Whole-of-Government” framework to ensure interoperability with the emerging Nigerian-led regional standard.

A Future of Inclusion

In a move to strengthen the “Whole-of-Society” approach, Minister George revealed a $663,000 partnership with UN Women to increase female representation in the AFL from 7% to 20%. Additionally, ECOWAS has approved $300,000 for the region’s first military mental health center to be established in Liberia.

She concluded with a powerful charge from Lt. Gen. Shaibu to the troops: “You are the guardians of peace. Wear your uniforms with the humility that comes from serving a cause greater than oneself.”

 The 69th Armed Forces Day celebration brought together several officials of government including members of the Legislature, Judiciary, Executive, local and international partners as well as former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.