Defence minister reaffirms commitment to stronger, self-reliant armed forces

The Minister of Defence, retired Gen Christopher Musa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a capable, professional and resilient Armed Forces to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty and support national development.

Musa said this on Monday at the Opening of the National Symposium /Lecture Series organised in commemoration of the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day, in Abuja.

He said the Ministry of Defence, under the current administration, was prioritising troop welfare, enhanced training, doctrinal refinement and the expansion of indigenous defence production to ensure sustainable long-term security capabilities.

According to him, ongoing policy and legislative reforms are revitalising local defence industries, encouraging private sector participation, creating jobs and deepening local content while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.

Musa noted that Nigeria was harnessing the expertise of skilled professionals at home and in the diaspora to strengthen defence innovation and capacity building.

He said locally manufactured defence platforms now reflected the growing strength of Nigeria’s defence industrial base and its contribution to regional security and economic growth.

On operations, the minister disclosed that improved training of special forces and stronger collaboration with regional and international partners had enhanced intelligence sharing and operational effectiveness against transnational threats.

He added that sustained military offensives across various theatres had recorded notable successes, while improved naval operations and maritime domain awareness had curtailed criminal activities and protected critical national assets.

Musa stressed that security was a shared responsibility, calling on communities, traditional rulers, religious leaders and local governments to support efforts to disrupt criminal networks.

He urged participants at the symposium to produce practical recommendations to further strengthen Nigeria’s defence architecture and national cohesion.

The minister commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and personnel of the Armed Forces for their resilience and dedication, assuring Nigerians that the military had the resolve and capacity to defeat enemies of the state.

“Nigeria is a great nation. United and resilient, we will overcome our challenges and secure a prosperous future,” he said.

The minister paid tribute to fallen heroes who gave their lives in defence of the nation and commended serving personnel for their courage and professionalism.

He also recognised the sacrifices of families of deceased personnel, particularly widows, describing their resilience and patriotism as central to Nigeria’s national consciousness.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, said the symposium was a solemn reminder that the true strength of a nation lies not only in weapons or strategy, but in sacrifice, shared values, collective memory and unwavering commitment to national service.

Pheelangwa said it was also a call to reflect on the ideals of unity, independence and the future that every citizen was duty-bound to protect.

According to him, the resilience of any defence system is measured not merely by firepower, but by the quality of leadership, clarity of vision and unity of purpose.

“As we engage in this symposium, we reaffirm our responsibility to Nigeria and to the global community to uphold peace, stability and the highest standards of professionalism,” he said.