Nigeria’s top defence hierarchy and strategic leaders convened in Abuja on Monday to evaluate the critical link between industrial development, economic self-reliance, and national security.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, joined former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (rtd), the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, and the Inspector General of Police at Abacha Hall inside the National Defence College (NDC) for the NDC Course 34 Graduation Lecture.
Delivering the keynote address, titled “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa,” former President Jonathan emphasised that sustainable security across the continent depends heavily on economic strength.
“The discourse highlighted the imperative for African nations to strengthen indigenous productive capacity, deepen technological advancement, reduce external dependencies, and create sustainable economic opportunities capable of addressing the underlying drivers of instability,” the military statement noted following the address.
The high-level lecture brought together senior leadership from across Nigeria’s security architecture—including the Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS)—to examine strategies for leveraging local industrial capacity to curb regional vulnerabilities.
Military officials emphasised that military capability alone is no longer sufficient to guarantee enduring peace.
“Sustainable peace and stability are increasingly shaped not only by military capability, but also by economic resilience, industrial strength, technological advancement, and effective governance,” stated the military leadership, reinforcing the need for a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to defence.
The event marked a major milestone in the graduation activities for NDC Course 34, reaffirming the college’s role in equipping senior military, security, and civilian executives with the strategic competencies required to navigate complex continental security challenges.
