President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged to expedite Nigeria’s local production of arms and ammunition as a central component of his administration’s broader strategy to fortify national institutions and security architecture.
The declaration was made during the graduation ceremony of Course 33 at the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja, where Vice-President Kashim Shettima spoke on the President’s behalf.
Addressing the ceremony under the theme “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria”, Shettima emphasised the indispensable role played by robust institutions.
He remarked: “Strong institutions uphold the rule of law, safeguard citizens’ rights, promote accountability, and deliver essential services.”
He added that they serve as the very framework for managing conflict, countering threats, and building resilience against instability.
President Tinubu reiterated that institutional capacity lies at the heart of national security and development.
In his words: “They ensure sound governance, effective planning, and the delivery of policies that serve the common good. This is why this administration has made institutional strengthening a national priority, and I trust that the knowledge you have acquired here will be deployed to fortify the institutions of Nigeria and of your respective nations.”
He lauded the NDC for its scholarly contributions, particularly the Presidential Treatise titled “Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040.”
“I have directed that relevant stakeholders study your recommendations and harvest the strategies you proposed, because strengthening indigenous manufacturing is indispensable to our nation’s security and development,” he said.
The President also reaffirmed his resolve to complete the NDC’s permanent site in Piwoyi, describing the College as emblematic of the government’s commitment to building human capital vital to national survival.
He stressed that once fully developed, the institution “can, and should, evolve into a Defence Postgraduate University.”
To this end, Tinubu instructed the Commandant to collaborate closely with the Minister of Defence to devise a facility upgrade strategy, with further governmental interventions to follow.
Highlighting the interconnectedness of strong institutions, security, and democratic governance, the President noted strides in economic repositioning, pointing to a remarkable 48 per cent year-on-year surge in the stock market, the economy’s best showing in nearly three decades.
Yet, he cautioned that persistent challenges, such as inflation and food insecurity, must be addressed to ensure that economic gains are broadly shared.
Tinubu challenged the Course 33 graduates to apply their training with strategic acumen, saying: “Graduates of Course 33, you step out today into a world more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous than when you began your course last year… But you have been prepared for this moment. You have been trained to think and act strategically. You have been equipped to lead with vision and courage.”
He further commended the College’s leadership and faculty for grooming the graduands for service across Nigeria’s Armed Forces, government ministries, and allied nation contingents.
Rear Admiral J.O. Okosu, Commandant of the NDC, welcomed the President’s support and expressed confidence that the graduates were equipped to tackle pressing security challenges such as banditry and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
Meanwhile, Major General Kevin Ukandu, Deputy Commandant, noted the comprehensive training in defence management, strategic formulation, command and geopolitics that had prepared participants to effectively advance Nigeria’s security goals.
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