COAS, Jonathan, Defence Chiefs Advance Security-Industrial Growth Nexus at NDC Lecture

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Monday joined former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), and other senior security officials at the National Defence College (NDC) Course 34 Graduation Lecture in Abuja.

The lecture, held at Abacha Hall, NDC, was delivered by Jonathan and themed “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa.”

The event provided a platform for senior leaders in Nigeria’s defence and security architecture to examine the relationship between industrial development, economic resilience and sustainable security in Africa.

The gathering also included the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Director General of the Department of State Services, Inspector General of Police, service chiefs, heads of other security agencies and senior strategic stakeholders.

Participants examined ways African countries could harness their industrial potential to promote inclusive economic growth, strengthen national resilience, reduce strategic vulnerabilities and enhance regional stability.

The lecture highlighted the growing connection between industrial capacity, economic security and national defence amid evolving security challenges across the continent.

It emphasised the need for African countries to strengthen indigenous productive capacity, deepen technological development, reduce external dependencies and create sustainable economic opportunities capable of addressing some underlying causes of insecurity.

The participation of the COAS and other senior defence and security leaders underscored the importance of a whole-of-government approach to national security.

The discussion recognised that sustainable peace and stability increasingly depend not only on military capability, but also on economic resilience, industrial strength, technological advancement and effective governance.

The graduation lecture formed part of activities marking the completion of NDC Course 34 and further highlighted the College’s role in developing senior military, security and civilian leaders with the strategic knowledge and critical-thinking skills required to address complex national, regional and global security challenges.