President Bola Tinubu has pledged to accelerate the local production of arms and ammunition to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday at the graduation ceremony of Course 33 of the National Defence College (NDC), Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said developing indigenous capacity was vital for sharpening the nation’s fight against insecurity.
He praised the theme of the course, “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria,” stressing that resilient institutions form the backbone of democracy, rule of law, and conflict management.
Tinubu highlighted his administration’s priority on institutional strengthening, assuring the College that its permanent site at Piwoyi would be completed and upgraded into a Defence Postgraduate University.
The President also commended the College’s culture of research, citing its recent paper on harnessing indigenous manufacturing for national security. He said he had directed stakeholders to review its recommendations, describing local arms production as indispensable to Nigeria’s security and development.
Tinubu urged the graduands—drawn from Nigeria’s armed forces, police, ministries, and allied nations—to deploy their training strategically as the country faces economic headwinds, insecurity, and global uncertainties.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to economic reforms, citing a 48% rise in the stock market but admitted inflation and food insecurity must still be tackled to deliver prosperity for all Nigerians.