Africa Facing Serious, Evolving Security Threats – Matawalle

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has raised alarm over the growing security challenges across Africa, stressing the need for digital solutions and stronger continental cooperation.

Speaking at the opening of the Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja on Monday, Matawalle — who represented Defence Minister Mohammed Abubakar — said Africa faces “serious, complex, transnational, and asymmetric” threats.

“Africa’s security must be driven by Africa’s solutions, leadership, and unity,” he declared.

Key Points:

Nigeria has played a leading role in peacekeeping, counterterrorism, and humanitarian missions across Africa.

African nations must invest in modern technologies like AI, cyberdefence, and indigenous military innovation.

Cooperation is vital: “No single country can scale the continent alone. We must share intelligence and build trust.”

Terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, Al-Qaeda, and Al-Shabaab remain major threats.

Matawalle emphasized that the future of warfare is digital, urging defence leaders to strengthen partnerships that uphold peace, development, and democratic values.

#AfricaSecurity #Nigeria #Defence #Matawalle #Terrorism #AI #CyberDefence #PeaceAndSecurity

Nigeria targets $12 billion annual revenue from electronic navigational charts: Matawalle.

Nigeria is targeting about 12 billion dollars annual revenue from chart validation, distribution and revenue management for international shipping clients by tapping into the 90 billion dollars global market for Electronic Navigational Chart.

The minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle, made this known at the World Hydrography Day 2025 and West African Hydrographic Summit with the theme, “Seabed Mapping -Enabling Ocean Action”, on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the federal government had established the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts West Africa Regional Office and Training Centre.

He pledged Nigeria’s support for hydrographic capacity building, investment in technology, and stronger regional ties to ensure that no part of Nigerian waters remains uncharted, unsafe, or unsustainable.

According to him, sustainable development, especially in the nation’s coastal and riverine communities, depends on how well we understand and manage our marine environment.

“It is on this note that I announce the formal establishment of the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts West Africa Regional Office & Training Centre to be hosted by the National Hydrographic Agency here in Abuja.