President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s human, material, and intellectual resources to drive industrialisation, strengthen national security, and advance sustainable development.
According to Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, addressing participants of Course 33 of the National Defence College (NDC) at the State House, Abuja, the President urged them to see themselves as agents of national transformation and to embrace the collective responsibility of building an inclusive and productive nation.
Tinubu said his government remains committed to providing platforms for constructive engagement and inclusive solutions to Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, noting that strengthening defence and military institutions remains a priority for enhancing national power.
Congratulating the course participants, he said: “We are building a political, economic and security future here. We must develop Nigeria. The strategic path to industrialisation, as enumerated in your presentation, gives credence to that.”
Responding to the course research paper titled Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security by 2040, the President assured that the recommendations would receive thorough consideration. He called on participants to remain intellectually curious and committed to analysing Nigeria’s emerging security and development challenges.
“It is our joint responsibility to ensure that this nation is productive, governed inclusively, and prepared for future generations,” he said. “We must train our people, develop our economy, promote industrial growth, and ensure that our sovereignty remains resilient.”
Tinubu also appealed for patience on the College’s request for completion of its permanent site, whose development began in 2010.
Earlier, Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral A. Ahmed, described the institution—established in 1992—as Nigeria’s highest strategic military training centre. He said Course 33 focused on the theme: Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria.
The Commandant said the course enrolled 99 participants: 25 from the Army, 16 from the Navy, 12 from the Air Force, five from the Police, 18 from various MDAs, and 23 international participants from Africa, Asia, and South America. To date, the NDC has graduated 3,097 senior officers and professionals.
Captain M.A. Ahmed, who led the visiting delegation, explained that the course’s research drew lessons from 23 countries across Africa, Europe, and Asia, examining how indigenous manufacturing supports economic diversification and national security. He said Qatar’s transformation from a mono-economy into a diversified industrial hub provided valuable insights relevant to Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The research team noted Nigeria’s strong economic outlook, with only two countries projected to surpass its GDP growth rate by 2026. They recommended massive investment in infrastructure, product standardisation, support for the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and the adoption of Project Native 2040 to fast-track indigenous manufacturing and job creation.
The briefing concluded with a call for presidential directives to ensure strategic implementation of the recommendations for enhanced national security and development.
