By Bavoriat Clara
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, has emphasised the critical role of Nigeria’s university system in strengthening national defence and enhancing long-term strategic resilience.
In a statement issued by the Chief Information Officer, Queeneth Iheoma-Hart, on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence, the Minister made this known while delivering a Convocation Lecture at the Combined Convocation Ceremony of Akwa Ibom State University, held at its main campus in Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking on the evolving nature of global security threats, General Musa noted that terrorism, cyber warfare and other asymmetric challenges have significantly reshaped national defence in the 21st century. He stressed that modern security frameworks must be knowledge-driven, anchored on education, innovation, technology and the development of human capacity.
The Defence Minister stated that national defence is no longer the sole responsibility of the armed forces, but requires a whole-of-nation approach. According to him, universities play a strategic role in this process by producing skilled manpower, advancing research and fostering values that promote national stability and cohesion.
He further called for stronger collaboration between the defence sector, government and academic institutions to effectively address emerging security challenges. The Minister also highlighted the need for sustained investment in education and the alignment of academic programmes with national security priorities, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data systems.
General Musa also advocated for structured partnerships between universities and defence institutions to build a modern, self-reliant and responsive national security architecture. He reiterated that national defence is a collective responsibility that extends beyond the military to all sectors of society, especially the education sector.He charged graduating students to embrace their roles as future leaders and nation builders, urging them to uphold discipline, pursue innovation and demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility in contributing to Nigeria’s stability, progress and prosperity.
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