Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, has inaugurated Course 34 of the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, with a call on participants to demonstrate excellence, patriotism, and innovative thinking in addressing Africa’s growing security and developmental challenges.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at the NDC Conference Hall in Abuja, marked the official commencement of the institution’s flagship strategic leadership training for senior military officers and their civilian counterparts.
In his address, the Minister of Defence commended the National Defence College for its continued role in developing strategic leaders equipped with the intellectual and practical tools needed to safeguard national and regional stability. He emphasised that the College has, over the years, produced graduates who have gone on to serve in high-level defence, security, and governance positions, both within Nigeria and across Africa.
Badaru noted that the College’s Course 34 theme focused on developing adaptive leadership and policy-oriented decision-making was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in promoting national security, industrial growth, and socio-economic development.
“The challenges confronting our continent today require a new generation of leaders strategic thinkers who can connect defence, governance, and development. This College remains the nucleus for grooming such minds,” the Minister said.
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The inauguration also featured a thought-provoking lecture by Dr Olasupo Olusi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BOI). Dr Olusi presented a paper titled “Optimising Capacity for Industrialisation and Socio-economic Development in Africa.” His lecture underscored the critical link between industrial capacity, national security, and sustainable growth across the continent.
According to Dr Olusi, industrialisation remains one of the most potent tools for tackling unemployment, poverty, and insecurity. He urged African governments to invest more in local production capacity, technology transfer, and skill development, arguing that economic empowerment is a key pillar of national resilience.
“A well-industrialised Africa will be less vulnerable to external shocks and internal crises. Sustainable industrial growth strengthens our defence architecture by reducing socio-economic vulnerabilities,” Olusi said.
He highlighted the Bank of Industry’s initiatives in financing manufacturing, agribusiness, and renewable energy projects across Nigeria, noting that such investments directly contribute to the nation’s peace and stability.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral J.O. Okusun, congratulated the new participants for earning a place in the elite institution. He explained that Course 34 comprises senior officers drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, the Nigeria Police, and other security agencies, alongside civilian technocrats from key ministries and international participants from allied nations.
Rear Admiral Okusun stated that the NDC remains committed to delivering world-class strategic education through research-driven learning, high-level simulations, and regional collaboration. “Our goal is to produce graduates who understand the interplay between security, governance, and development leaders who can design policies that secure and transform nations,” he said.
He also reaffirmed the College’s commitment to international cooperation, stressing that the participation of foreign officers enhances regional understanding, joint planning, and military diplomacy among African states and global partners.
The ceremony was graced by senior officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, defence attachés, members of the diplomatic community, and representatives of government institutions.
As the College begins Course 34, expectations remain high that the new set of participants will uphold the NDC’s legacy of excellence and thought leadership in defence and security studies.
Founded in 1992, the National Defence College has become Nigeria’s highest military institution for strategic training. It serves as a think tank for the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Federal Government, shaping national policy through research and seminars on security, defence, and development.
The inauguration of Course 34 not only marks the beginning of another academic cycle but also reinforces the NDC’s crucial role in producing visionary leaders equipped to navigate Africa’s evolving security landscape.
With the combined insights of the Defence Minister, Dr Olusi’s economic perspective, and the College’s enduring mission, the new course is set to chart fresh pathways for integrating defence strategy with sustainable development strengthening Nigeria’s leadership within Africa’s security and economic architecture.