…as CDS Gen. Musa pledges enhanced welfare for military personnel
By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Armed Forces have marked a significant milestone with the official commissioning of the Defence Holdings Company Limited by Guarantee. The event, held under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, signals a major step towards innovation, economic diversification, and self-reliance in the defence sector. Nkechi Eze reports that at the historic commissioning ceremony held in Abuja, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, welcomed dignitaries and guests to the formal unveiling of the Defence Holdings Company Limited. According to Gen. Musa, the initiative, is a key achievement in his vision of building a professional, people-centric, and collaborative Armed Forces capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.
General Musa described the launch as the culmination of years of hard work, strategic planning, and dedication to innovation. He emphasized that the Defence Holdings Company, along with its subsidiaries, was established as a private limited liability entity to streamline and coordinate the business activities of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
According to the Chief of Defence Staff, the company will drive technological advancement, promote indigenous defence production, and engage in viable commercial ventures, while enhancing the welfare of military personnel and their families. He noted that the Defence Headquarters will provide strategic direction, foster public-private partnerships, and ensure unified oversight across the services.
“Three key subsidiaries—Defence Farms Limited, Defence Properties Limited, and Defence Engineering Services—currently have administrative offices at the new headquarters, while their operational bases are situated off-site.” He disclosed.
General Musa also clarified that the holding companies of the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force will continue to operate independently under a collective umbrella known as the Defence Conglomerates, which will function under the regulatory framework of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020.
“The Defence Conglomerates will be governed by a Board of Directors and guided by policy frameworks from the Defence Secretariat to ensure compliance and efficiency.” He said.
General Musa expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated structure would deliver long-term benefits for national development and security, while also opening new employment opportunities for retired military personnel and their families.
“This approach aligns with global examples in countries like Egypt, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, where similar ventures have positively contributed to national growth.” He said.
He extended his appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support, and acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, the Minister of State for Defence, and members of the National Assembly, including the Senate and House Committees on Defence.
Colonel O.J. Okoli, while providing insight into the design elements and symbolism behind the logo of Defence Holdings Company Limited noted that the logo represents the resilience of the Nigerian Armed Forces, its unwavering readiness to contribute across all sectors of national security, and its firm commitment to the welfare of military personnel and their families.
According to Col. Okoli, “the logo’s colors hold significant meaning, with red symbolizing the Nigerian Army, deep blue representing the Nigerian Navy, and sky blue denoting the Nigerian Air Force, collectively emphasizing unity, synergy, and cooperation among the three branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“The green color in the logo signifies growth and fertility, reflecting the economic vision of the company.” He said.
“The logo also features symbolic imagery, including uniformed personnel, which reflects the Armed Forces’ dedication to securing a better quality of life for its members through robust welfare programs.
“The depiction of residential structures symbolizes efforts to provide affordable housing and real estate investment opportunities for military personnel and their families.
“Additionally, the high-rise buildings soaring into the sky signify ambition, aspiration, and the limitless potential of the Defence Holdings Company.
“The logo’s design elements collectively convey the company’s commitment to the welfare of military personnel and their families, while also highlighting its economic vision and ambitions.” He noted.
In his remarks, the special guest of Honour, his excellency, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, honourable minister of defence, noted that the holding company represents a forward-thinking approach, one that aims to improve the welfare of service personnel while contributing meaningfully to national growth.
“This moment signals renewed hope for the future of Nigeria’s military development and strengthens our resolve toward building a self-reliant and innovative defence sector.
“The Defence Company Limited is not merely a group of businesses. It stands as a platform for innovation, a catalyst for economic advancement, and a symbol of our collective aspirations for a stronger and more resilient military-industrial ecosystem.
“As we move forward, we anticipate that this company will exceed expectations, align with our national aspirations, and become a driving force for value creation, enterprise, and sustainable impact.
“Our long-standing goal of establishing a robust military-industrial complex is gradually becoming a reality, and today’s commissioning is a significant step in that direction.” He noted.
While expressing deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces and his visionary leadership in strengthening the national defence architecture, the minister reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to discharge its constitutional responsibilities with professionalism, honour, and commitment to safeguarding the territorial integrity of our beloved nation.
In his goodwill message, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Honorable Minister of information and national orientation expressed the ministry’s commitment to collaborating with the military in ensuring the safety and security of Nigeria. The minister further commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its significant investment in military hardware and platforms over the past two years, despite the threats posed by various criminal elements across the country.
We recognize and commend the strides made by the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, particularly in the significant investment in military hardware and platforms over the past two years.“
Despite the threats posed by various criminal elements across the country, this administration has remained resolute in its efforts to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.
The Minister further called on the media to play a crucial role in supporting the Armed Forces in the interest of peace, national unity, and development and further emphasized the importance of responsible reportage, noting that press freedom comes with responsibility and that freedom of expression must not be used to promote falsehoods or incite unrest.
“Yes, we value press freedom, it is a cornerstone of democracy, but with that freedom comes responsibility.
“Freedom of expression must not be used as a cover to promote falsehoods or incite unrest. I urge all media practitioners and public communicators to embrace media literacy and reject fake news. Together, we must deny purveyors of misinformation the space to thrive.” He concluded.
The event was attended by esteemed dignitaries from various sectors, including the Ministry, National Assembly, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), and the private sector.
Major highlight of the event featured the official commissioning and opening of the Defence Holdings Company Limited’s building by the Honorable Minister of Defence, accompanied by the presentation of souvenirs and a group photo session.
