President Bola Tinubu has charged newly commissioned officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces to uphold the Constitution, protect Nigerians, and safeguard the nation’s economy. He delivered the charge through the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, at the combined passing-out parade of graduating cadets at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna. The parade featured cadets from various courses and branches of the military.
The President commended the Commandant of the NDA and his team for transforming the cadets into battle-ready, intellectually equipped, and morally grounded leaders. He acknowledged the Academy’s evolution since its establishment in 1964, blending military training with academic education and character development. The NDA has continued to adapt to emerging security threats.
Tinubu highlighted the NDA’s enhanced counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency training, as well as its integration of technology into military training and research. The Academy has strengthened partnerships with leading military institutions globally, with Nigerian cadets undergoing training in the United Kingdom, United States, Brazil, and France. These partnerships demonstrate the growing recognition of the Academy’s training standards.
The NDA has served as a regional hub for military education, training cadets from several African countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. The Academy’s training standards have earned recognition, with invitations to participate in competitive military competitions in the United States, Brazil, and China.
Tinubu emphasized the need for the NDA to sustain its momentum and deepen collaboration with tri-service training institutions, defence industries, and academic institutions. He highlighted innovations from the Academy’s Centre for Innovation and Creativity, including precision-guided munitions, remotely operated weapon systems, and multipurpose mobile robots.
On national security, Tinubu stated that his administration remains committed to building a secure, stable, and prosperous Nigeria through the coordinated use of all elements of national power. He stressed that kinetic military operations alone cannot defeat insecurity, citing poverty, unemployment, and social disintegration as drivers of conflicts. The administration is pursuing job creation, macroeconomic stability, and human capital development.
Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, regional stability, and economic integration through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other regional bodies. He also reiterated Nigeria’s opposition to unconstitutional changes of government. The President’s address emphasized the importance of the NDA’s role in shaping the nation’s security and development.
Key points
- President Tinubu charges NDA graduates to uphold the Constitution and protect Nigerians.
- The NDA has strengthened partnerships with global military institutions.
- Tinubu emphasizes the need for a coordinated approach to national security.
