President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged newly commissioned officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces to uphold the Constitution and protect Nigerians from security threats. He gave the charge on Saturday in Kaduna at the combined Passing Out Parade of cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). Tinubu was represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas. The ceremony featured cadets of the 73 Regular Course for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
The President emphasized that the new officers were entering a career at a critical time when adversaries were seeking to undermine Nigeria's values and progress through violence and propaganda. He urged them to uphold discipline, honour, professionalism and selfless service, stressing that their advancement in the Armed Forces would depend on the values acquired at the Academy. Tinubu added that the nation was counting on them to strive for excellence in every given task.
Tinubu commended the NDA for adapting its training curriculum to contemporary security challenges, particularly through enhanced counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency training and the integration of technology into military training and research. The Academy had also expanded its facilities and introduced specialised warfare training in collaboration with the various services. This, he said, was crucial in addressing the evolving security landscape.
The President highlighted innovations being developed through the NDA's Centre for Innovation and Creativity, including precision-guided munitions, remotely operated weapon systems and multipurpose mobile robots. He urged the Academy to sustain the momentum and deepen collaboration with military training institutions, defence industries and academic institutions. This, he believed, would further enhance the country's defence capabilities.
Tinubu noted that Nigeria's security challenges could not be addressed through military operations alone, citing poverty, unemployment, poor education and social disintegration as drivers of conflict. He said his administration was combining security efforts with job creation, macroeconomic stability, human capital development and social protection under the Renewed Hope Agenda. This approach aimed to address the root causes of insecurity.
On regional security, Tinubu said Nigeria would continue to pursue diplomacy, security cooperation and economic integration through ECOWAS and other regional bodies. He reiterated Nigeria's opposition to unconstitutional changes of government while stressing that the country would not abandon its neighbours in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The President emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared security challenges.
The President congratulated the graduating cadets and appreciated their families for the emotional, moral and material support provided throughout their training. A total of 444 cadets of the 73 Regular Course were graduating, after completing five years of training comprising four years of academic studies and one year of full military training. The NDA had also disclosed that Nigerian cadets were undergoing military training in the United Kingdom, United States, Brazil and France.
Key points
- President Tinubu charges new military officers to uphold the Constitution and protect Nigerians
- The President commends the NDA for adapting its training curriculum to contemporary security challenges
- Tinubu emphasizes the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared security challenges
