President Bola Tinubu has urged participants of the National Defence College to take a frontline role in strengthening Nigeria’s development, calling for a national effort grounded in inclusion, discipline, and strategic planning. He delivered the message on Thursday while receiving Course 33 participants at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Tinubu said his administration’s focus remains on building a productive nation by unlocking Nigeria’s “human, material, and intellectual capacity,” noting that long-term stability depends on marrying security with economic ambition. “It is our joint responsibility to ensure that this nation is productive and governed inclusively,” he said, stressing that resilience and patriotism are essential to creating both prosperity and security.
The President outlined his intention to continue expanding support for the country’s defence institutions, describing them as central to the training of officers equipped to navigate the complex security landscape. He praised the Defence College for its research contributions, saying its work has helped shape policy direction in recent years. “We must develop future strategic leaders with knowledge and analytical skills to enhance national power,” he added.
Tinubu also commended the course participants for their commitment during the programme, acknowledging their presentation on the future of national security titled Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security by Year 2040. He assured them that their recommendations would be reviewed closely for possible adoption.
The President addressed the lingering delays surrounding the development of the College’s permanent site—a project initiated in 2010—urging patience while reaffirming the government’s intention to see it through.
Read Also: TSA Staff To Receive $10,000 Bonuses After Shutdown
Rear Admiral A. Ahmed, Commandant of the College, noted that the institution, founded in 1992, remains Nigeria’s premier centre for advanced military and strategic education. Course 33 includes 99 participants drawn from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, and key ministries and agencies. An additional 23 participants from Africa, Asia, and South America joined the programme, reflecting the college’s international reach.
As Tinubu spoke about the need for foresight, investment in people, and strategic leadership, his message underscored a broader theme: national development, he said, will depend not only on resources but on the ability to train thinkers capable of steering the country toward long-term stability.