Defence chief Olufemi Oluyede has called for a strategic shift in Nigeria’s peacekeeping engagements to ensure they deliver tangible national benefits beyond troop contributions.

Mr Oluyede, represented by the chief of training at the Defence Headquarters, Olutosin Ogunleye, made the call at the opening of the 2026 Defence Headquarters Peacekeeping Operations Seminar on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that Nigeria had remained a leading troop-contributing nation to missions under the United Nations and African Union, but noted that the strategic returns had not matched the scale of its commitment.

”While these contributions have enhanced our international profile, the strategic returns, particularly in diplomatic influence, institutional positioning and national interest outcomes, have not been commensurate,” Mr Oluyede said.

Mr Oluyede stressed the need to move from routine participation to leveraging peacekeeping as an instrument of national power and diplomacy. According to him, the evolving global security landscape, characterised by complex mandates, asymmetric threats, and rising geopolitical competition, demands a more coordinated, interest-driven approach.

”Nigeria must position itself not only as a contributor of troops but also as a strategic actor capable of shaping outcomes within multilateral security frameworks,” Mr Oluyede said.

The defence chief said his leadership philosophy for the Armed Forces of Nigeria was anchored on enhanced jointness, improved operational readiness, personnel welfare and sound administration, all geared towards safeguarding national sovereignty and supporting prosperity.

He expressed optimism that the seminar would generate actionable policy recommendations to strengthen inter-agency coordination and develop a coherent, interest-driven peacekeeping strategy.

The director of peace support operations at the Defence Headquarters, Uriah Opuene, described the seminar as a landmark initiative to reposition Nigeria’s role in global peace missions.

Mr Opuene said the event, the first of its kind at Defence Headquarters, was conceived as a strategic platform to critically assess Nigeria’s participation in peace support operations.

He noted that, though Nigeria had played a prominent role in global and regional peacekeeping, the diplomatic and institutional gains had not always reflected the scale of its involvement.

Mr Opuene added that the forum would feature research presentations, panel discussions and interactive sessions aimed at generating practical, actionable recommendations.

(NAN)