…COAS, Defence Chiefs, Jonathan Link Industry To National Security
….Africa Must Boost Indigenous Industry For Peace
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that harnessing Africa’s industrial capacity is critical to achieving inclusive growth, economic resilience and lasting regional stability.
Jonathan stated this on Monday, 24 August 2026, while delivering the Graduation Lecture for National Defence College, NDC, Course 34 at Abacha Hall, Abuja.
The lecture, themed “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa,” drew Nigeria’s top security leadership including the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), OFR; Chief of Defence Staff; Service Chiefs; Inspector General of Police; Chief of Defence Intelligence; and Director General of the Department of State Services.
According to the former President, sustainable security across Africa can no longer be separated from industrial development and economic strength. He urged African nations to strengthen indigenous productive capacity, deepen technological advancement, reduce external dependencies and create economic opportunities to address drivers of instability.
Speakers at the event stressed the growing nexus between industrial capacity, economic security and national defence amid evolving security challenges on the continent.
General Shaibu, in attendance with other senior defence and security stakeholders, said the engagement reinforced the need for a whole-of-government approach to national security.
He noted that peace and stability are now shaped not only by military capability, but also by economic resilience, industrial strength, technological advancement and effective governance.
The lecture formed part of activities marking the completion of NDC Course 34.
College authorities said the programme is designed to equip senior military, security and civilian leaders with strategic knowledge and critical thinking required to address complex national, regional and global security challenges.
