1. As CDS:
He was the highest-ranking military officer, but he reported to a political chain.
He had no authority over budgets, procurement, or policy – all of which were controlled by political actors who often had competing agendas.
He had to operate within a compromised system, rife with interference, moles, and weak command structures.
Success depended on approvals from people with political motives, not on merit or operational logic.
2. As Minister of Defence:
He is now the political head of the Ministry, giving him power to set policies, budgets, procurement priorities, and strategic direction.
He can choose his team, restructure command, and remove political obstacles that previously held him back.
He has direct access to the President, who can enforce compliance and back him fully something he never had as CDS.
His mandate is broader and deeper, allowing him to implement reforms rather than just advise.
3. The Facts You Must Understand:
A CDS can lead troops and operations but cannot fix systemic failures that are political in nature.
A Defence Minister with a competent military mind can change the system itself, creating an environment where operational success becomes possible.
Nigeria’s armed forces were crippled by weak leadership, divided command, and political meddling – none of which were his fault as CDS.
So, this is not a movie, and this is not a repeat of past failures. The difference is authority, autonomy, and systemic control. Give him the freedom, resources, and backing, and he can succeed where others could only report failures.
In short: His past “limitations” were structural, not personal. His current role gives him the tools to fix what was broken – if the political will allows it.
Nigeria is watching. The country demands results, not excuses
By Sa’adiyyah Adebisi Hassan
