President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the permanent site of the National Defence College (NDC), saying the institution must be fully equipped to continue delivering world-class strategic training for Nigeria’s military, paramilitary agencies, and allied nations.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Course 33 of the college in Abuja on Friday, Tinubu—represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima—also restated the Federal Government’s focus on indigenous production of military hardware, stressing that local manufacturing is vital to national security and long-term development.

A total of 99 participants graduated from the NDC Course 33, including 25 officers from the Nigerian Army, 16 from the Navy, 12 from the Air Force, and five from the Police. Others were drawn from ministries, departments, and agencies, while 23 were international participants.

Tinubu disclosed that when fully equipped, the NDC would evolve into a Defence Postgraduate University. He directed the Commandant of the College to work closely with the Minister of Defence in developing a comprehensive strategy for upgrading its facilities.

“While the government explores further interventions to enhance the infrastructure, I have been briefed on the state of facilities at the permanent site in Piwoyi. Progress has been made, but much remains to be done. This administration is committed to completing the permanent site to ensure the College continues to deliver strategic training not only for Nigeria but also for allied nations,” the President said in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.

Tinubu also commended the College’s research excellence, particularly the participants’ presidential treaties on “Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040.” He said their recommendations would be studied, noting that strengthening local defence manufacturing is indispensable to Nigeria’s future security.

He hailed the theme of the course, “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria,” stressing that his administration has prioritised strong institutions as a bedrock for democracy, stability, and prosperity.

Addressing the graduands, the President urged them to remain worthy ambassadors of the college by upholding its values of Excellence, Courage, Patriotism, and Integrity. He also encouraged the international participants to sustain the friendships built during their stay in Nigeria, turning them into bridges of cooperation and solidarity.

Commandant of the College, Rear Admiral James Okosun, explained that the participants were trained through a rigorous nine-module curriculum covering research methodology, science and technology, policy analysis, strategic leadership, and crisis simulation. He added that this year’s course addressed pressing security challenges, including banditry in the North-West, separatist agitations in the South-East, and oil theft in the Niger Delta.

The graduation was attended by top defence chiefs, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, alongside the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.