The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, have jointly called for the deployment of advanced technologies and greater regional collaboration in the fight against terrorism and transnational crime across Africa.

Speaking on Thursday at the 4th African Air Forces Forum held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, they emphasised the urgent need for technological advancement and cooperative defence strategies to counter the growing complexity of security threats on the continent.

Under the theme “Strengthening Collaborations in Advanced Aerospace Technologies for Enhanced National and Regional Security,” the event brought together chiefs of air staff and defence experts from over 30 African nations.

Representing Governor Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, while addressing the gathering, expressed Lagos State’s pride in hosting the international event. He lauded the Nigerian Air Force for leading a timely initiative to unite African air power and technology experts in confronting the continent’s shared security concerns.

Hamzat said the theme of the event “truly resonates with the challenges that we face today in our continent.”

“We must therefore adapt to the changing nature of warfare, embrace technological advancement, and invest in the training and development of our air force.

“The issues we confront as a region are complex ranging from terrorism and transnational crime, to safeguarding our expansive and extensive airspace. This challenge calls for innovative solutions, collaborative strategies, and a unified approach,” he said.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, highlighted the collective responsibility of African nations to tackle cross-border security threats like terrorism, violent extremism, and organised crime.

“Today, we share knowledge and enhance cooperation to address evolving security challenges,” he said. “Groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, and their affiliates continue to cause instability and despair across our region,” he added, noting that countering such threats required sophisticated strategies.”

The minister added, “A technologically advanced Nigerian air force, we believe, is not only a very important component of Nigerian security architecture, but also a vital asset in the wider African security architecture. In advancing our capabilities, we are equally committed to nurturing and enduring partnerships with our allies and friends across the continent and beyond.

“Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the theme of this forum is not solely about technological advancement, but also about the human dimensions of collaboration. It is about trust, mutual respect, and the shared ambition of a secure, united, and prosperous Africa.”

He urged the gathering to seize the opportunity to deliberate and engage in open and proactive conversation aimed at forging an enduring partnership and identifying practical steps “that can transform our shared ideas into actionable realities, on the ground and in the skies above.”

In his welcome address, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, noted that the event was a dynamic platform for fostering unity, deepening cooperation, and driving forward a collective vision of peace, security, and progress across the skies of the African continent.