As part of the training programme for Naval Warfare Course (NWC) 9 of the Naval War College Nigeria (NWCN), a panel discussion was organized to discuss the Participation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in Joint Operations with focus on Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Operations. The panel discussion was held on Friday 2 May 2025, in the College Central Lecture Hall. The discussants/resource persons at the event comprised seasoned and experienced retired senior officers who served in various capacities in the ECOMOG operations in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The resource persons were Major General IM Yusuf (Retired), Rear Admiral FD Akpan (Retired) and Air Commodore AA Balogun (Retired).
During the discussion, the resource persons unanimously highlighted the importance of jointness in military operations. They all acknowledged that joint operations involving the Army, Navy and Air Force ensure the provision of complementary capabilities and offer greater flexibility. Furthermore, joint operations planning and execution ensure that burdens are shared between the participating Services while risk is minimized. Jointness in military operations facilitated numerous achievements during the conduct of ECOMOG operations. The achievements include effective sea lift of personnel/logistics and refugees; sea surveillance and blockade for control of shipping as well as search and rescue missions (during air combat missions and maritime activities). Other achievements were rendering assistance in the establishment of a safe and secure environment as well as gunfire support and provision of close air support to ECOMOG ground forces.
The prospects for AFN in joint operations, which could be engendered through more collaborative operational and strategic training as it is presently practiced were also discussed. The resource persons concluded by stating that effective collaboration between the different Services can lead to more efficient and coordinated responses to threats, irrespective of the challenges of equipment and training, manpower shortages and funding.
The Commandant NWCN Rear Admiral OA Olodude, expressed gratitude to the resource persons for their presence at the panel discussion and for sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience on joint operations and ECOMOG operations with the participants. He acknowledged that the panel discussion was a worthwhile event, which provided some invaluable insights that had enriched the participants’ understanding of joint operations.
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