Defence minister Mohammed Badaru, on Monday, charged participants of the National Defence College Course 33 to take up the responsibility of strengthening institutions as a pathway to good governance in Africa.

Mr Badaru gave the charge at the college’s graduation lecture in Abuja, which featured the former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo as the guest lecturer.

The minister said the tradition of inviting eminent African leaders to engage the participants remained a fine practice that enriched their knowledge and sharpened their strategic thinking.

“The theme of today’s lecture, ‘Strengthening Institutions for Good Governance in Africa’, goes to the very heart of our continent’s future. When institutions are weak, nations falter. When institutions are strong, nations endure, economies grow, and societies thrive,” he said.

Mr Badaru stressed that strong nations are not built on strong individuals, but on resilient and accountable institutions. The minister added that Nigeria, under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to reforms that promote accountability, professionalism, and effective coordination.

According to him, the defence ministry is fully aligned with the president’s mission to build systems that outlast administrations and secure stability for generations to come.

He acknowledged progress across the continent but noted that peace, security, and development still required deeper cooperation and stronger institutions.

“Nigeria stands ready to lead, not only by reforming at home but also by contributing to Africa’s collective renewal,” he said.

The minister congratulated the graduating participants of Course 33 for successfully completing their training and encouraged them to apply the knowledge they had gained in their future assignments.

“Over the past 11 months, you have been prepared to think strategically, act decisively, and lead with dignity. Leadership is not merely an office; it is a trust, a responsibility to leave behind systems stronger than you met them,” Mr Badaru said.

He commended Mr Tinubu for his unwavering support of the armed forces and the college and also praised the commandant and staff of the NDC for successfully steering the course.

The commandant, James Okosun, stated that the tradition of inviting eminent leaders to deliver the graduation lecture was designed to inspire and challenge participants as they prepared to assume higher responsibilities.

Mr Okosun described the presence of the former Ghanaian leader as a privilege, noting that his wealth of experience and strategic insights would enrich the graduates’ understanding of governance and leadership.

He restated that resilient institutions are essential to national security and stability, noting that strong nations are built not on individuals but on accountable systems.

“In recent years, Nigeria has faced numerous security challenges, ranging from insurgency and militancy to kidnapping and resource-based agitations. Unfortunately, these reflect a wider pattern across Africa, where weak institutions undermine governance, peace, and development.

“To our graduating participants, as future strategic leaders, you must appreciate the pivotal role that institutions play in delivering good governance. Without resilient institutions, there can be no lasting security or sustainable development,” he said.

The commandant urged the officers to apply the lessons learnt at the college to strengthen governance frameworks in their respective services, ministries, and agencies.

(NAN)