ABUJA – The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Monday joined former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa rtd, the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, and the Inspector General of Police at the National Defence College, NDC, Course 34 Graduation Lecture in Abuja.
The lecture, delivered by Dr. Jonathan at Abacha Hall, NDC, was themed “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa.”
It provided a platform for senior leaders within Nigeria’s defence and security architecture to examine the critical link between industrial development, economic resilience and sustainable security across Africa.
The high-level engagement also had in attendance the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Director General of the Department of State Services, heads of other security agencies and distinguished participants.
Discussions focused on how Africa can harness its industrial potential to stimulate inclusive economic growth, strengthen national resilience, reduce strategic vulnerabilities and promote enduring regional stability.
The discourse underscored the growing nexus between industrial capacity, economic security and national defence, against the backdrop of evolving security challenges across the continent.
It highlighted the need for African nations to strengthen indigenous productive capacity, deepen technological advancement, reduce external dependencies and create sustainable economic opportunities to address some of the underlying drivers of instability.
The participation of the COAS and other senior defence and security leaders further reinforced the importance of a whole-of-government approach to national security, recognizing that sustainable peace and stability are shaped not only by military capability, but also by economic resilience, industrial strength, technological advancement and effective governance.
The Graduation Lecture formed part of activities marking the completion of NDC Course 34 and affirmed the College’s role in developing senior military, security and civilian leaders equipped with strategic knowledge to navigate complex national, regional and global security challenges.
COAS, Jonathan, Defence Chiefs Emphasise Security-Industrial Growth Link At NDC Course 34 Lecture
