By Peter Omopo
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Monday joined former President Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Defence Christopher Musa and other senior security officials at the National Defence College (NDC) Course 34 Graduation Lecture in Abuja.
The lecture, held at Abacha Hall of the NDC, was delivered by Jonathan and titled, “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa.”
The event brought together senior figures in Nigeria’s defence and security architecture to examine the link between industrial development, economic resilience and sustainable security across Africa.
Among those in attendance were the Chief of Defence Intelligence, the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Inspector General of Police, service chiefs, heads of other security agencies and senior strategic stakeholders.
Discussions at the lecture focused on how African countries can harness their industrial potential to promote inclusive economic growth, strengthen national resilience, reduce strategic vulnerabilities and enhance regional stability.
The lecture also highlighted the growing relationship between industrial capacity, economic security and national defence as countries across the continent confront evolving security challenges.
Participants stressed the need for African nations to strengthen indigenous production, deepen technological development, reduce dependence on external sources and create sustainable economic opportunities capable of addressing some of the underlying drivers of insecurity.
The participation of the COAS and other senior defence and security leaders underscored the importance of adopting a whole-of-government approach to national security.
The discussions further emphasised 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 reinforced the College’s role in preparing senior military, security and civilian leaders with the strategic knowledge and critical-thinking skills required to address complex national, regional and global security challenges.
