President Bola Tinubu has assured that his administration will complete the permanent site of the National Defense College ( NDC) to enable it continue to offer strategic training for Nigeria’s military, paramilitary organisations and allied nations.
He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to indigenous manufacturing of military hardware, stressing that it is critical to Nigeria’s security and long-term development.
Tinubu made the statements at the graduation of 99 participants of Course 33 held at the college in Abuja on Friday.
The participants of NDC Course 33 comprised 25 officers from the Nigerian Army, 16 from the Nigerian Navy, 12 from the Nigerian Air Force, five from the Nigeria Police Force, 18 from ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as 23 international participants.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu said when fully equipped, the college would evolve into a Defence Postgraduate University.
He said he has directed the commandant of the college to work closely with the Minister of Defence to develop a clear strategy to upgrade the facilities.
Tinubu said, “While the government explores further interventions to enhance the infrastructure, I have been briefed on the state of infrastructure at the permanent site in Piwoyi. While progress has been made, much remains to be done.
“I assure you that this administration is committed to completing the permanent site, to ensure that the College continues to deliver strategic training not only for Nigeria but also for allied nations.”
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Tinubu said “I must also commend the tradition of research excellence in this College. Your Presidential Treaties on Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040 is a clear demonstration of this strength.
“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,” the President said.
He hailed the choice of theme for the College’s Course 33 — Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria — noting that his administration has prioritised strong institutions as the foundation of democracy, stability, and prosperity.
The President urged the graduands to be worthy ambassadors of the college and uphold its motto, which speaks of Excellence, Courage, Patriotism, and Integrity.
According to him, in those values lie the compasses for a successful career.
“To our friends from other nations, I encourage you to sustain the friendships you have built in Nigeria, and to let them grow into bridges of cooperation and solidarity between your nations and ours,” he said.
He commended the college commandant, the Management Team, and the Faculty for their dedication to grooming the new set of graduands.
The Commandant of the College, Rear Adm. James Okosun, said the participants have been equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to address complex security and developmental challenges.
He said the training was delivered through a comprehensive curriculum of nine modules, covering areas such as research methodology, science and technology, policy analysis, strategic leadership development, and crisis simulation.
He said, “This year’s exercise examined issues such as banditry in the North-West, separatist agitation in the South-East and oil theft in the Niger Delta,” in addition to public speaking, strategic assessments, and policy implementation.”
The event was attended by top defence chiefs, including Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, alongside the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
