FG to boost Nigeria’s defence capabilities, industrialisation — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is committed to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture while maximising the nation’s human, material, and intellectual resources for industrialisation, peace, and prosperity.

The President gave the assurance on Thursday at the Council Chambers, Abuja, during a visit by members of Course 33 of the National Defence College (NDC).

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged the participants to see themselves as agents of national development, reaffirming government’s readiness to provide inclusive solutions to emerging socio-economic challenges.

Tinubu said his administration will continue to empower defence and military institutions to produce highly trained officers capable of enhancing national security.

“We are building a political, economic, and security future here. We must develop Nigeria,” he said, praising the course participants for their research on industrialisation and national security.

Responding to their research paper, Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security by 2040, the President said the recommendations would be carefully reviewed.

He challenged them to deepen intellectual inquiry into Nigeria’s evolving security and development challenges.

The President also addressed the College’s request for completion of its permanent site, urging patience.

Earlier, the Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral Aliyu Ahmed, said the theme for Course 33—Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria—aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He noted that the course had 99 participants from the Nigerian military, Police, MDAs, and 23 international officers.

He said study teams visited 23 countries across Africa, Europe, and Asia to assess indigenous manufacturing sectors, citing Qatar’s transformation from a mono-economy as a key lesson for Nigeria.

The study team recommended large-scale investment in infrastructure, product standardisation, and patronage of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to drive industrialisation and job creation.

They also called for presidential approval to implement “Project Native 2040” to boost indigenous manufacturing for national security.