The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has highlighted the importance of strategic defence management in safeguarding national sovereignty, maintaining peace, and fostering socioeconomic development.
Hikaya Newspaper reports that speaking at the National Defence Academy Course 33 in Abuja, Badaru commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritizing security development in Nigeria.
Badaru outlined the complexity of Nigeria’s current security environment, citing the interplay of various actors, including state forces, insurgents, civil society, the media, and foreign interests. He noted that the country is confronting a wide array of security threats, including insurgency, banditry, communal violence, secessionist movements, oil theft, and maritime insecurity. The Minister emphasized that effective strategic defence management is essential for preserving sovereignty and peace, as well as driving socioeconomic progress.
Badaru praised President Tinubu’s administration for recognizing the strong connection between national security and development. He highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at recalibrating Nigeria’s security architecture through capacity building, military modernization, and investment in local defence production. The Minister stressed that the success of these reforms depends on the effectiveness of the Ministry of Defence as the apex body for military oversight and strategic coordination.
Badaru explained that the Ministry of Defence 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 emphasized that efficient defence management must be grounded in forward-looking frameworks aligned with both national interests and global realities.
The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry of Defence’s 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 Nigeria’s territorial integrity and protect citizens from internal and external threats. The Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral James Ohimai Okosun, commended the Minister for delivering a timely and insightful lecture, describing it as essential for shaping the future of military leadership.