By Harriet Tornguvan
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa, has underscored the critical role of Nigeria’s universities in strengthening national defence and fostering long-term strategic resilience.
Speaking at the combined convocation ceremony of Akwa Ibom State University held at its main campus in Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, the Minister stated that the country’s higher education system remains a vital pillar in addressing emerging security challenges.
Delivering the convocation lecture, General Musa noted that the nature of modern threats including terrorism, cyber warfare and other asymmetric risks has significantly evolved, requiring a shift from traditional security approaches to knowledge-driven strategies. He stressed that national defence in the 21st century must be anchored on education, innovation, technology and the development of human capital.
“National defence today is not solely the preserve of the armed forces.
"It requires a whole-of-nation approach in which our universities play a strategic role by producing skilled manpower, advancing research and cultivating values that promote stability and cohesion, He added.
The Defence Minister called for deeper collaboration between the military, government institutions and academia to effectively respond to evolving threats. He emphasised the need for sustained investment in education and urged stakeholders to align academic programmes with national security priorities, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data systems.
He further advocated for structured partnerships between universities and defence institutions, noting that such collaboration is essential for building a modern, self-reliant and responsive national security architecture.
According to him, national defence is a collective responsibility that extends beyond the Armed Forces to all sectors of society, especially the education sector.
General Musa also charged graduating students to see themselves as future leaders and nation builders. He urged them to uphold discipline, embrace innovation and demonstrate a strong sense of duty in contributing to Nigeria’s stability, progress and prosperity.
