President Bola Tinubu has declared that the security of Nigerians remains fundamental to achieving the country’s economic ambitions and long-term prosperity, stressing that protecting lives is essential to creating an environment where businesses can thrive.
The President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the statement on Friday at the graduation ceremony of participants of the National Defence College Course 34 in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President, Tinubu maintained that strengthening the Armed Forces and security agencies, while neutralising terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, remained a priority of his administration.
The statement was titled, “President Tinubu: Securing Lives of Nigerians Non-Negotiable, Key to Our Economic Ambitions.”
“Our economic ambitions accompany the duty to secure our people,” Tinubu said.
He commended the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their efforts in confronting terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, piracy and organised crime, assuring them of continued government support.
“The Armed Forces and security agencies continue to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, piracy and organised criminality with courage and professionalism.
“Government will provide equipment, training, resources and institutional support for their constitutional duties,” he said.
Security and Economic Growth
Tinubu linked national security directly to economic opportunity, arguing that peace creates the conditions necessary for businesses and communities to prosper.
“Peace creates room for enterprise, and enterprise enlarges the citizen’s stake in peace. When communities recover security, opportunity must follow, because stability grows where people can work, trade, learn and hope,” he said.
Reflecting the theme of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent graduation lecture at the college, Tinubu said Africa’s long-term security would increasingly depend on economic transformation.
“Africa’s security will increasingly depend on productive economies, regional value chains, innovation, and industries capable of employing its young population,” he said.
He said industrialisation, supported by the African Continental Free Trade Area, must serve as a driver of inclusive growth and strengthen the continent’s economic resilience.
“Industrialisation must drive inclusive growth, reduce structural vulnerability and enlarge continental bargaining power,” the President said, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa.
Renewed Hope Economic Reforms
Tinubu also highlighted economic reforms being implemented under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including measures aimed at improving the business environment, attracting private investment and expanding infrastructure.
“We are improving conditions for enterprise, encouraging private investment, promoting local value addition and expanding roads, railways, ports, energy and digital connectivity,” he said.
According to him, the investments are designed to lower production and transaction costs, connect markets and strengthen national integration.
He added that the government was building capacity in agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, technology and the defence industry.
“Sovereignty acquires substance when a nation can absorb shocks, meet essential needs and defend its interests,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu Charges Graduands on Leadership
Addressing the graduands, the President described the National Defence College programme as an important reflection of the broad range of expertise required in modern statecraft.
The participants were drawn from the Armed Forces, Police, public institutions and friendly foreign nations.
Tinubu urged the graduands to use the professional networks developed during the programme to promote cooperation, understanding, peace and development across Africa and beyond.
He also charged them to uphold the college’s core values of excellence, courage, patriotism and integrity in their various areas of responsibility.
The President commended the Commandant, faculty and staff of the National Defence College for sustaining what he described as Nigeria’s foremost institution for strategic education, as well as their commitment to education and policy-oriented research.
Earlier, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, said Tinubu’s representation at the ceremony by the Vice President demonstrated the administration’s commitment to strategic leadership development and national security.
Ahmed said the graduands had undergone 47 weeks of intensive training involving research, field tours and seminar presentations focused on contemporary security and development challenges, as well as high-level defence management.
He said the participants were expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme to develop practical solutions to challenges across various sectors of the Nigerian economy.
