The Honourable
Minister of Defence Christopher Musa (rtd) has stated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture through enhanced training, strategic partnerships, and sustained investment in indigenous defence capabilities.
Musa said this at the Opening ceremony of the National Symposium/ Lecture Series with the theme “Securing Nigeria’s Future: The Armed Forces and National Development” organized by the Ministry of Defence as part of activities in commemoration of the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day held on Monday, 12th January, 2026 at the National Defence College, Abuja.
He emphasized that effective training remains a cornerstone of operational excellence, particularly in the management of special forces to enhance agility, operational reach, and mission effectiveness.
He informed that strategic collaboration with regional and international partners has significantly improved intelligence sharing, joint planning, and coordinated responses to transnational security threats, stressing that modern security challenges transcend national borders and require sustained cooperation with neighbouring countries.
Musa disclosed that recent investments in trainings have yielded tangible results across multiple theatres of operation, including intensified air and ground operations against terrorists and criminal elements, leading to improved operational successes nationwide, adding that in the maritime domain, enhanced maritime domain awareness and transnational cooperation have curtailed criminal activities, protected critical national assets, and contributed to increased offshore productivity and oil output.
The Honourable Minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s approval of significant funding to empower more Nigerians within the oil and gas sector, a move expected to strengthen national revenue, boost productivity, and reinforce maritime security effort. He said that efforts are ongoing to build
a self-reliant defence ecosystem through indigenous innovation, and highlighted the progress made in locally manufactured platforms and technologies that position Defence as a driver of industrial growth and national development.
Speaking further during the presentation of the paper titled “Nexus between National security and National Development”by the guest speaker Lt Gen. T Y Buratai (rtd), the Honourable Minister affirmed that the only constant thing is Change. He maintained that the Ministry will continue to approach current realities with initiatives that will lead the nation to success and advocate for the integration of veterans in governance as a way of their contribution to national development. He informed that efforts are being made to ensure veterans are well catered for.
He urged all citizens to join hands in making Nigeria assume its rightful place in the comity of nations stressing that”it takes togetherness to overcome our challenges”
Earlier in his Welcome Address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah while thanking the Armed Forces and security personnel for their dedication, resilience, and sacrifice, expressed optimism that the outcomes from the symposium would generate actionable recommendations to further strengthen Nigeria’s defence capabilities and national cohesion.
In attendance at the event were the Chief of Defence staff Gen. Olufemi Oloyede, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen.Waidi Shuaibu, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt Gen Emmanuel Udieandeye, Rep. of the Senate President, Rep. of the Speaker House of Representative, Directors of the ministry and other stakeholders.
