The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa has today Wednesday 30 April 2025 led other top government functionaries and dignitries to Commissionon the Defence headquarters Defence Holdings Company Limited by Guarantee head office, in Abuja to improve the welfare and lives of military personnel and their families.
The commissioning ceremony represents the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and vision and its another major achievement in the actualization of CDS General Musa's leadership concept for the Armed Forces, which is “to nurture a professional armed forces of Nigeria that is people centric collaborative and capable of meeting its constitutional responsibilities in a joint and collaborative environment”.
In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, SGON, minister of defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, noted that the holding company represents a forward-thinking approach, one that aims to improve the welfare of service personnel while contributing meaningfully to national growth.
“This moment signals renewed hope for the future of Nigeria’s military development and strengthens our resolve toward building a self-reliant and innovative defence sector.
“The Defence Company Limited is not merely a group of businesses. It stands as a platform for innovation, a catalyst for economic advancement, and a symbol of our collective aspirations for a stronger and more resilient military-industrial ecosystem.
“As we move forward, we anticipate that this company will exceed expectations, align with our national aspirations, and become a driving force for value creation, enterprise, and sustainable impact.
“Our long-standing goal of establishing a robust military-industrial complex is gradually becoming a reality, and today’s commissioning is a significant step in that direction.” he said.
Also in his goodwill message, the Minister of Information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its significant investment in military hardware and platforms over the past two years, despite the threats posed by various criminal elements across the country.
He expressed the ministry’s commitment to collaborating with the military in ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria.
"We recognize and commend the strides made by the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, particularly in the significant investment in military hardware and platforms over the past two years.“
"Despite the threats posed by various criminal elements across the country, this administration has remained resolute in its efforts to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He called on the media to play a crucial role in supporting the Armed Forces in the interest of peace, national unity, and development and further emphasized the importance of responsible reportage, noting that press freedom comes with responsibility and that freedom of expression must not be used to promote falsehoods or incite unrest.
The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa earlier in his remarks affirmed that the Defence Holding Company will improve indigenous defence production while engaging in other viable commercial ventures beneficial to the economic growth as a Nation. Most importantly, this initiative is aimed at improving the welfare and lives of military personnel and their families.
General Musa said the Company through its subsidiaries, will contribute immensely to national security and development by leveraging available human and material resources to facilitate our technological advancement.
"This initiative will therefore build on the existing synergy between the Services and collaborate with the Services towards achieving the Company’s objectives.
"I wish to inform our distinguished audience here that 3 of our subsidiaries, the Defence Farms Ltd, the Defence Properties Ltd and the Defence Engineering Services, only have their administrative offices at this location, while their operational offices, equipment, yards and workshops are located outside this place.
"In light of the aforementioned, it is pertinent to mention that the Holdings Companies of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Airforce shall continue to exist independently and will collectively be known as Defence Conglomerate."he said
The CDS, General Musa announced that the Defence Conglomerate shall operate in compliance with the provisions of the Company and Allied Matters Act 2020 and other relevant laws regulating the operation of businesses in Nigeria.
"It shall have a command structure emanating from the Defence Headquarters with a Board of Directors, which shall provide policy guidelines for its operations. Considering the extensive consultation, planning and preparation put in place to establish the Company, I am optimistic that the Defence Holdings Company will have a positive transformative impact on the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Country in general." he noted
He commended the efforts of members of the Committee who have worked assiduously to actualize the initiative. "Indeed, your commitment and dedication are quite inspiring. I want to urge all to put in extra efforts to ensure that the aims and objectives of this company is fully achieved.
Dignitries at the commissioning includes, Honourable Minister of Defence Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, Minister of Information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, Senate Committee on Defence headed by its Chairman, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ikechukwu Ogalla, Senior officers from the Defence Headquarters, members of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA).
