President Bola Tinubu has underscored the need to strengthen indigenous production of military hardware, describing it as essential to Nigeria’s security and national development.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday at the graduation ceremony of Course 33 of the National Defence College (NDC), the Presiden, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, praised the institution’s culture of research excellence. He cited the College’s “Presidential Treatise on Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040” as evidence of its contribution to national policy.
“I have directed relevant stakeholders to study and implement your recommendations because boosting indigenous manufacturing is indispensable to our security and development,” Tinubu said.
The President also hailed the theme of the course, “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria”, stressing that resilient institutions remain the foundation of prosperous societies.
“In national security, they help manage conflict, counter threats, and build resilience. In development, they ensure sound governance and effective policy delivery. This is why institutional strengthening has been made a national priority,” he noted.
Highlighting his administration’s economic reforms, Tinubu said renewed investor confidence was reflected in Nigeria’s stock market, which has grown by over 48 per cent year-on-year, the best performance in nearly three decades. While acknowledging challenges of inflation and food insecurity, he pledged continued efforts to ensure economic growth translates into real prosperity for citizens.
On infrastructure, the President restated his administration’s commitment to completing the permanent site of the NDC at Piwoyi. He directed the Commandant to collaborate with the Minister of Defence to devise a strategy for upgrading facilities, with the goal of transforming the College into a Defence Postgraduate University.
Addressing the graduands, Tinubu urged them to support his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “You step out today into a more complex and volatile world. But you have been trained to think and act strategically, to lead with vision and courage,” he said.
He also commended the Commandant, Rear Admiral James Okosu, the management, and faculty of the College for equipping Course 33 graduands including officers from Nigeria’s Armed Forces, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as allied nations with the skills to tackle pressing security challenges such as banditry and oil theft.
