The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has urged Nigeria and other African countries to treat industrial capacity, technological innovation and human capital as strategic foundations for lasting security, economic resilience and regional stability.
General Musa made the call on Monday, 24 August 2026, at the graduation lecture for participants of National Defence College Course 34 in Abuja, where he argued that Africa’s security and prosperity are inseparable and must be pursued through integrated national strategies.
The lecture, delivered by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, was titled “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa”. General Musa commended the former president for highlighting the strategic importance of converting Africa’s abundant natural and human resources into value-added production, technological innovation and sustainable prosperity.
The Defence Minister said the lecture reinforced the reality that lasting peace cannot be sustained without inclusive economic growth, just as development cannot thrive where insecurity persists. He identified resilient institutions, infrastructure, technology and human capital as essential components of a stronger African security architecture.
General Musa also pointed to deeper continental economic integration, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, as an opportunity for African countries to pursue policies that accelerate industrialisation, stimulate innovation and expand shared prosperity.
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For the graduating participants, drawn from the strategic leadership ecosystem of national security, governance and public administration, the Minister stressed that the value of the course would ultimately be measured by how effectively its lessons are translated into policy and institutional action.
Broader Outlook
He challenged the graduates to return to their respective services, ministries, departments and agencies with a broader strategic outlook and champion approaches that combine security, economic development and national resilience.
The minister said the networks and knowledge acquired at the National Defence College should support innovative thinking, sound policy formulation and effective leadership not only within individual institutions but also in addressing security and development challenges across Africa.
General Musa congratulated the commandant, faculty and staff of the National Defence College for sustaining the institution’s reputation as a leading centre for strategic and professional military education.
He also commended the graduating participants for completing the rigorous programme and expressed appreciation to former Nigerian President, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for sharing his experience in governance, democratic leadership and regional diplomacy.
The graduation lecture placed industrial capacity within a broader strategic framework: for Africa to build durable security, its leaders must simultaneously strengthen economic opportunity, technological capability, institutional resilience and regional cooperation.
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