President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the National Defence College (NDC) to intensify the training of strategic thinkers capable of strengthening Nigeria’s defence and security architecture amid emerging global threats.

Receiving participants of Course 33 of the college at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, the President said Nigeria must deliberately nurture a new cadre of security-minded leaders with the analytical depth required to navigate an ever-changing threat environment.

Tinubu urged the participants to consider themselves crucial stakeholders in the nation’s development project.

“I congratulate all of you—the leadership of the college, the participants, and resource persons,” he said.
“We are building a political, economic and security future here. Nigeria must be developed deliberately.”

He commended the college’s presentation on pathways to industrialisation, saying it aligned with his administration’s determination to strengthen national capacity.

“We must develop future strategic leaders equipped with the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to enhance the instruments of national power in a dynamic defence and security environment,” he added.

The President emphasised collective responsibility in ensuring a productive and inclusive Nigeria that safeguards the interests of future generations.

“It is our patriotic duty to look into the horizon, be resilient, and invoke the spirit that drives greatness,” he said.
“We must train our people, grow our economy, promote industrial development and guarantee our sovereignty.”

Tinubu also assured the college of patience regarding its long-standing request for the completion of its permanent site, a project initiated in 2010.

Earlier, Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral A. Ahmed, said Course 33 comprised 99 participants drawn from the army (25), navy (16), air force (12), police (5), and various MDAs (18). Twenty-three international participants from Africa, Asia and South America are also part of the programme.

The commandant noted that the college has graduated 3,097 participants since inception.