By Ada Nkong
Strategic defence management has been identified as a crucial instrument for safeguarding national sovereignty, maintaining peace, and fostering socioeconomic development.
TheĀ Minister of DefenceĀ Mohammed Badaru Abubakar,Ā underscored the importance while delivering a lectureĀ at the National Defence Academy Course 33 in Abuja, he commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing security development in Nigeria.
A statement signed by Mati Ali Personal Assistant Media and publicity to the Minister said the lecture, titled āStrategic Defence Management in Nigeria: Ministry of Defence in Perspective,ā outlined the Ministryās pivotal role in addressing the countryās evolving security challenges through institutional reforms, strategic planning, and collaborative defence mechanisms.
According to Ali, Badaru emphasized the complexity of Nigeriaās current security environment, characterized by the interplay of various actors, including state forces, insurgents, civil society, the media, and foreign interests, all operating within a volatile regional and global context. He reiterated that effective strategic defence management is essential not only for preserving sovereignty and peace but also for driving socioeconomic progress.
He said that with a population exceeding 200 million and a dynamic economy, Nigeria is confronting a wide array of security threats, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and communal violence in the North-West and North-Central, secessionist movements and oil theft in the South, as well as maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea. In addition, he highlighted the impact of regional instability in the Sahel and Nigeriaās leadership role within ECOWAS and the African Union in shaping national defence policies.
The Minister praised President Tinubuās administration for recognizing the strong connection between national security and development. He noted ongoing reforms aimed at recalibrating Nigeriaās security architecture through capacity building, military modernization, and investment in local defence production. According to him, the success of these reforms significantly depends on the effectiveness of the Ministry of Defence as the apex body for military oversight and strategic coordination.
Ali also said highlighting the core responsibilities of the Ministry of Defence, Badaru explained that it is tasked with formulating and executing the National Defence Policy, ensuring the readiness of the Armed Forces, and driving strategic initiatives that integrate defence planning, policy, and resource management. He stressed that efficient defence management must be grounded in forward-looking frameworks aligned with both national interests and global realities.
In conclusion, the Minister reaffirmed the Ministry of Defenceās commitment to enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening transparency, and promoting multi-sectoral partnerships. He advocated for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to security, integrating military, economic, and diplomatic strategies to safeguard Nigeriaās territorial integrity and protect citizens from internal and external threats.
In his remarks, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral James Ohimai Okosun, expressed gratitude to Minister Badaru for delivering a timely and insightful lecture, describing it as essential for shaping the future of military leadership. He also commended the ongoing reforms under the Ministerās leadership, noting that they are setting new standards in defence governance and institutional efficiency.
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