The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has stated that true and lasting national security cannot be achieved through military force alone, stressing that defeating ignorance, overcoming hopelessness, and safeguarding democratic values are critical to securing the nation.
According to an official signed statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the Minister made the remarks on Friday while speaking at the June 12 Special Edition of The Platform Nigeria, where he reflected on the sacrifices that laid the foundation for Nigeria’s democracy and highlighted the need for a technology-driven approach to addressing emerging security threats.
Presenting a paper titled “Securing Our Nation,” General Musa underscored the close relationship between security and national development, noting that sustainable economic growth can only thrive in a secure environment.
“When we speak of national defence, the instinct is to focus on boots on the ground, air power, or intelligence gathering,” the Minister said. “But true and lasting security is anchored on one critical element: the defeat of ignorance and the conquest of hopelessness. No democracy can flourish where fear dominates daily life.”
The Defence Minister acknowledged the progress recorded by the Armed Forces of Nigeria in combating insecurity, including the neutralisation of key terrorist leaders and the disruption of major criminal networks across the country.
He, however, warned that contemporary security challenges such as banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, and transnational violent extremism continue to evolve and are increasingly interconnected. According to him, these threats often exploit social media platforms to spread misinformation, deepen social divisions, and undermine national stability.
General Musa emphasised the need for Nigeria’s defence architecture to continuously adapt to the changing security landscape through innovation, intelligence, and strategic use of technology.
The 2026 edition of The Platform Nigeria was themed “Governance, Democracy and National Security,” bringing together stakeholders from various sectors to discuss the challenges and opportunities in strengthening democratic governance and national security.
