By Harriet Tornguvan
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (rtd), has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen border security, improve the welfare of military veterans and review critical defence policies to bolster Nigeria’s national security architecture.
Musa gave the assurance when he received members of the Alumni Association of the National Defence College during a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Defence headquarters, Ship House, in Abuja.
The minister noted that Nigeria’s security landscape remains dynamic and increasingly complex, stressing the need for continuous review of existing policy frameworks, including the National Defence Policy and its 2019 implementation guidelines, to ensure they remain responsive to emerging threats and global realities.
According to him, defence and institutional frameworks must constantly evolve to match changing security demands.
He disclosed that the ministry would engage relevant authorities, including the Permanent Secretary and strategic partners, to initiate structured consultations aimed at updating key defence documents and related policy instruments.
Musa further described border security as a central pillar of the country’s national security strategy, emphasising the need to strengthen surveillance and control systems to effectively monitor cross-border movements.
“It is important that we know who is coming in, who is going out, and what is entering our country,” he said, adding that improved border management would help curb transnational crimes and other security threats.
On veterans’ welfare, the minister stressed that retired military personnel who served the nation deserved adequate post-service care, including improved healthcare access and social protection.
He assured stakeholders that the ministry was reviewing existing frameworks to enhance welfare systems and adopt global best practices that would guarantee dignity and better living standards for ex-service personnel.
Earlier, President of AANDEC, Ndidi Patrick Agholor (rtd), thanked the minister for the warm reception and said the association possessed the professional expertise to support the ministry in implementing defence policies through research, advisory services and strategic engagement.
He appealed for the ministry’s support to strengthen the association’s operational capacity, including mobility, office equipment, conference facilities, the hosting of a forthcoming National Security Summit and the development of a permanent secretariat.
Agholor also pledged the association’s continued partnership with the ministry in advancing national security objectives, noting that stronger institutional collaboration would help address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Richard Pheelangwa, alongside senior directors.
