Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), has urged graduating army officers to strengthen their skill to anticipate dangers, determine vulnerabilities and adapt extra rapidly than these searching for to undermine nationwide safety. He careworn that their job shouldn’t be merely to reply to threats after they emerge.
He additionally urged the officers to mix skilled competence with mental curiosity and the braveness to make troublesome choices underneath stress.
Speaking on the commencement ceremony of Army War College Nigeria Course 10/2026 yesterday in Abuja, the Defence Minister careworn that Nigeria was making efforts to develop indigenous defence capabilities in numerous areas whereas strengthening cooperation with dependable worldwide companions.
He mentioned, “The job earlier than you, subsequently, shouldn’t be merely to reply to threats after they emerge. We should strengthen our skill to anticipate dangers, determine vulnerabilities and adapt extra rapidly than those that search to undermine our nationwide safety.
“I imagine this school has imparted these expertise to you. Today’s commanders and leaders should mix skilled competence with mental curiosity and have the braveness to make troublesome choices underneath stress.
“At the forefront of our strategic vision, we are making efforts to develop indigenous defence capabilities in various areas while strengthening cooperation with reliable international partners. Our long-term security architecture cannot rest solely on foreign technologies.”
General Musa mentioned Nigeria was progressively constructing the capability to perceive, keep, adapt and produce programs that reply to its personal operational realities.
He mentioned this required purposeful collaboration among the many Armed Forces, universities, analysis establishments, defence industries and Nigerian innovators.
He added, “Our establishments should construct capability in areas related to hybrid warfare, resembling unmanned aerial programs, synthetic intelligence, cyber capabilities and knowledge analytics, to improve operational effectiveness. As present and future operational and strategic leaders, you might have a direct position to play on this course of.
“Innovation is not the exclusive responsibility of engineers, scientists or procurement specialists. Commanders are often best placed to identify operational gaps, articulate problems clearly and work towards developing solutions.”
He concluded that the worth of the faculty would finally be measured not by the certificates alone, however by the standard of judgement the officers demonstrated in management and the outcomes they delivered within the subject.
