The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Monday joined former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), and other senior defence and security chiefs at the National Defence College Course 34 Graduation Lecture in Abuja.
The lecture, held at Abacha Hall of the National Defence College, was delivered by former President Jonathan and themed, “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa.”
The high-level gathering brought together the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, Chief of Defence Intelligence, Director General of the Department of State Services, heads of other security agencies and senior strategic stakeholders.
The lecture examined the critical relationship between industrial development, economic resilience and sustainable security, with emphasis on the need for African countries to strengthen their domestic productive capacity and reduce dependence on external sources.
Participants also explored the role of technological advancement, industrialisation and sustainable economic opportunities in addressing some of the underlying factors contributing to insecurity and instability across the continent.
The engagement further highlighted the growing connection between industrial capacity and national defence, as evolving security threats increasingly require countries to combine military capabilities with economic strength, technological innovation and effective governance.
The participation of the COAS and other senior security leaders underscored the importance of a whole-of-government approach to national security, where sustainable peace is supported not only by military strength but also by economic resilience and industrial development.
The graduation lecture formed part of activities marking the completion of NDC Course 34, reinforcing the College’s role in preparing senior military, security and civilian leaders with the strategic knowledge and critical thinking required to address complex national, regional and global security challenges.
