President Bola Tinubu says national security remains the fundamental bedrock required to achieve Nigeria’s economic ambitions and lasting prosperity.

Mr Tinubu,‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌‍‌⁠⁠⁠‌represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said this on Friday in Abuja during the graduation ceremony for 103 participants of National Defence College Course 34.

He said his administration viewed safety and protection of lives as the fundamental baseline for business expansion.

“This is why the broader economic plan focuses on stabilising macroeconomic fundamentals, boosting local industry, and attracting foreign investment,” he said.

The president maintained that strengthening the nation’s armed forces and neutralising criminals, bandits and terrorists remained central to the government’s focus.

“Our economic ambitions accompany the duty to secure our people.

“The Armed Forces and security agencies continue to confront terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, piracy and organised criminality with courage and professionalism.

“Government will provide equipment, training, resources and institutional support for their constitutional duties. Peace creates room for enterprise, and enterprise enlarges the citizen’s stake in peace.

“When communities recover security, opportunity must follow, because stability grows where people can work, trade, learn and hope,” he stated.

Mr Tinubu said Africa’s security would increasingly depend on productive economies, regional value chains, innovation and industries capable of employing its young population.

He insisted that “industrialisation must drive inclusive growth, reduce structural vulnerability and enlarge continental bargaining power.”

The president restated Nigeria’s commitment to a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa, while outlining reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the reforms aimed to create a productive, diversified and competitive economy by improving conditions for enterprise, private investment and local value addition.

“Improving conditions for enterprise, encouraging private investment, promoting local value addition and expanding roads, railways, ports, energy and digital connectivity.

“These investments reduce costs, connect markets and reinforce national integration.

“We are strengthening capacity in agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, technology and the defence industry.

“Sovereignty acquires substance when a nation can absorb shocks, meet essential needs and defend its interests,” he added.

He urged the graduands of National Defence College Course 34 to reflect the breadth required by modern statecraft, with participants drawn from the Armed Forces, Police, public institutions and friendly nations.

Mr Tinubu commended the international participants for their confidence, urging the graduands to ensure their networks forged at the college deepened cooperation, understanding, peace and development across Africa and beyond.

He congratulated the graduands on their discipline, curiosity and resilience, and implored them to uphold the college’s values of excellence, courage, patriotism and integrity.

He also commended the Commandant, faculty and staff of the college “for sustaining Nigeria’s foremost institution for strategic education.”

The President applauded their dedication to education and policy-oriented research.

The high point of the graduation ceremony was the presentation of certificates to the 103 participants.

They comprised 33 from the Nigerian Army, 20 from the Nigerian Navy, nine from the Nigerian Air Force, four from the police, 17 from ministries, departments and agencies and 20 international participants, alongside awards to deserving participants.

(NAN)