Follow Us on Google
Defence college requests presidential support to finalise permanent campus
______________________
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to harnessing Nigeria’s human, material, and intellectual resources to drive industrialisation, peace, and prosperity.
Speaking on Thursday at the Council Chambers in Abuja during an audience with members of Course 33 of the National Defence College, he stressed that the role of the participants as agents of positive national development and commended their patriotic dedication throughout the programme.
President Tinubu stressed that his government would continuously provide platforms for inclusive solutions to Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. He emphasised the importance of empowering defence and military institutions to build well-trained officers capable of enhancing Nigeria’s national power in security.
“I congratulate all of you, the leadership of the college, the participants, and resource persons. 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,” he stated.
In response to a research paper titled “Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security by Year 2040,” the President assured careful study of the recommendations and called for intellectual commitment to addressing emerging national challenges. He said, “I have listened attentively to your presentation. We must develop future strategic leaders sufficiently equipped with the requisite knowledge and analytical skills necessary to enhance the instrument of national power in a dynamic defence and security environment.”
Highlighting collective responsibility, he urged: “It is our joint responsibility to ensure that this nation, Nigeria, is productive, it is governed inclusively, and takes care of the future of our generation yet unborn.” He further encouraged resilience, education, economic development, and protection of sovereignty as vital national duties, stating, “We challenge our intellectual curiosity by being highly inquisitive and looking at what other nations are doing, where we are today, how we got here, and where we are headed tomorrow.”
The President also addressed the National Defence College management’s request for patience regarding the full development of its permanent site initiated in 2010.
Rear Admiral A. Ahmed, Commandant of the College, detailed that Course 33 bore the theme “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria” and comprised 99 participants from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, various MDAs, and 23 international attendees. Since its establishment in 1992, the College has graduated 3,097 officers from Nigeria and friendly nations.
Leader of the research team, Captain Mohammed Ahmed, aligned their research with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, highlighting global studies on indigenous manufacturing’s critical role in wealth creation, job generation, and economic growth. The team drew lessons from Qatar’s strategic economic diversification as a parallel to Nigeria’s challenges and opportunities.
The research recommended substantial investment in infrastructure, product standardisation, support for the Defence Industrial Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and a boost in employment. The presentation concluded by urging presidential directives to implement Project Native 2040, emphasising visionary leadership and strategic execution to use indigenous manufacturing for national security and development by 2040.
Other News
Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, appealed for President Tinubu’s assistance in completing the college’s permanent campus along Abuja Airport Road. He described the project as a vital national asset that has been stalled since 2010.
Leading the delegation from Course 33 on a visit to the Presidential Villa, he praised the President for receiving them despite his demanding schedule.
Though Course 33 graduated in August 2025, the Commandant said they were privileged to regroup for a presentation centred on Nigeria’s strategic issues, consistent with the college’s commitment to national security and development thought leadership.
Established in 1993 originally as the National War College, the NDC is Nigeria’s foremost institution for high-level military and strategic leadership education. Rear Admiral Ahmed explained its role in training senior officers from the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police, and key government ministries, departments, and agencies in preparing for advanced national security roles and policymaking.
He added, “The Centre for Strategic Research and Studies at the College serves as the ECOWAS Training Centre of Excellence for peace support operations at the strategic level.”
Highlighting the breadth of the college’s impact, he said it has graduated 3,079 participants, including international officers from continents such as Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.
Course 33 consisted of 99 participants: 25 from the Army, 16 Navy, 12 Air Force, five Police, 18 from various government MDAs, and 23 international officers from countries like Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, India, Brazil, and many others.
Making the case for urgent completion of the permanent site, Rear Admiral Ahmed stated, “The college currently operates from its temporary site in the Central Business District due to the non-completion of its permanent site. We respectfully seek Your Excellency’s kind intervention to complete this strategic national institution to enable participants dedicate more time to study and professional development.”
Ahmed emphasised that this research complements President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially efforts to diversify the economy and improve security through boosting local industry.
Ahmed assured the President that the college would continue to provide insightful research on emerging threats and offer strategic advice to the government.
