By Bavoriat Clara
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed relevant stakeholders to study and implement the far-reaching recommendations of participants of Course 33 of the National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria, particularly their research on harnessing indigenous manufacturing as a strategic option for national security and development by 2040.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Course 33 on Friday in Abuja, the President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized that strengthening local manufacturing remains indispensable to Nigeria’s survival, security, and sustainable development. He commended the graduands for their resilience, discipline, and academic excellence during the 48-week intensive programme, describing them as strategic leaders well-prepared to confront emerging threats with innovation, foresight, and courage.
“Their presidential research paper on Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040 is a clear demonstration of excellence. I have directed stakeholders to adopt their proposals because strengthening indigenous manufacturing is indispensable to our nation’s security and development,” the President stated. He also lauded the theme of the course, “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria”, noting that resilient institutions remain the foundation of democracy, good governance, and national stability.
Tinubu assured the graduates and faculty that his administration is committed to completing infrastructure at the college’s permanent site in Piwoyi, with a vision to transform the NDC into a Defence Postgraduate University that will continue to shape global standard military and security leadership.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral JO Okosun, speaking on behalf of the College community, officially welcomed the Special Guest of Honour, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, represented by the Vice President.
Rear Admiral Okosun said the President’s participation, despite his demanding schedule, underscored his unwavering commitment to the Armed Forces and to advancing professional military education. He extended warm greetings to royal fathers, invited dignitaries, alumni, families, and friends of the College, while congratulating the graduands on successfully completing the rigorous programme.
The Commandant disclosed that Course 33 commenced with 100 participants on 27 September 2024, but sadly lost one member, Capt. S. Ahmadu, to ill health. The College community observed a minute of silence in his honour during the ceremony.
He explained that 99 participants completed the programme, drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as 23 international participants from 19 friendly nations including Ghana, Kenya, Brazil, India, Cameroon, Liberia, and Zimbabwe.
Rear Admiral Okosun highlighted that the participants were taken through nine academic modules, operational exercises, study tours, research, and crisis simulations addressing Nigeria’s most complex security challenges such as banditry in the North West, separatist agitations in the South East, and oil theft in the Niger Delta.
According to him, the group research paper presented directly to the President marked only the second time in the history of the College that such an honour was accorded to a graduating class.
The President congratulated the 99 graduands, urging them to serve as worthy ambassadors of the College and their respective institutions with courage, patriotism, and integrity.
He charged them to sustain the friendships and networks built during the course, particularly with international colleagues, to foster stronger cooperation and solidarity among nations.
“You are now custodians of strategic insights and leadership skills that must be deployed across the security, economic, and administrative sectors. The responsibility before you is to think beyond convention, to bring innovation and foresight into your duties, and to strengthen the culture of professionalism and adaptability in your services,” the President charged.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, past Commandants, alumni of the College, as well as families and friends of the graduands.
It was marked by a blend of solemn reflection in honour of the deceased participant and celebration of the achievements of the new Fellows of the Defence College, who are now equipped to take on strategic responsibilities within Nigeria and across allied nations.
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