The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has stated that addressing insecurity requires collective responsibility and citizen participation, particularly from the youth as future leaders.
The Minister made this call on Monday, 4 May 2026, while addressing students from the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy, Veritas University, Abuja, during an educational visit to the Ministry of Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
General Musa emphasised that students must see themselves as stakeholders in the nation’s security ecosystem, urging them to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities within their environments. He noted that national unity and security are not the sole responsibility of government but a shared duty that requires proactive civic engagement.
Responding to questions, the Minister highlighted ongoing efforts to address technological and structural gaps in Nigeria’s defence sector through inter-ministerial collaboration, particularly with the Ministries of Agriculture and Science, Technology and Innovation.
He stated that the Ministry is also leveraging its land assets to support mechanised agriculture as part of a broader approach to food security.
On defence production, General Musa disclosed that skilled Nigerian professionals are being integrated into the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria to support local manufacturing of military equipment, including unmanned aerial systems.
He explained that domestic production remains the most sustainable pathway to addressing equipment shortages, especially in the context of global procurement constraints.
He further cautioned students against cybercrime, urging them to channel their creativity and skills toward productive ventures that contribute to national development. He also advocated wider access to military training, noting that it builds discipline, resilience and a broader understanding of national service.
On international collaboration, the Minister referenced Nigeria’s partnership with Turkey, noting that the country’s extensive experience in counterterrorism provides valuable lessons that Nigeria intends to adapt in strengthening its own security framework.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, stated that the visit was designed to expose students to the workings of Nigeria’s defence architecture and to guide them toward career opportunities in strategic studies, intelligence and national security.
The visit forms part of ongoing efforts to deepen public understanding of defence institutions while encouraging informed participation in national security processes
