The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), has warned that Nigeria and other African countries cannot achieve lasting peace and security without tackling economic exclusion and creating opportunities for citizens to prosper.
Musa said insecurity and underdevelopment were mutually reinforcing, stressing that sustainable development could hardly thrive where communities remained vulnerable to violence, poverty and instability.
The minister spoke on Monday at the graduation lecture for participants of Course 34 of the National Defence College in Abuja.
He argued that Africa’s security challenges required more than military responses, insisting that economic development, strong institutions, infrastructure, technology and investment in human capital must form part of the continent’s long-term security strategy.
According to him, “lasting peace cannot be sustained without inclusive economic growth.”
Musa said African countries must strengthen cooperation and pursue policies capable of transforming the continent’s vast natural and human resources into productive wealth.
He cited the African Continental Free Trade Area as an important platform through which African countries could deepen economic integration, promote industrialisation and create shared prosperity.
“As African nations continue to deepen collaboration through continental initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, we must collectively pursue policies that promote industrialisation, innovation and shared prosperity,” he said.
The minister further argued that Africa’s economic transformation was inseparable from its security.
He said, “A resilient industrial base strengthens economic competitiveness, creates productive employment, enhances national resilience and contributes significantly to regional peace and security.”
Musa also warned against continuing to export Africa’s raw materials without developing the capacity to process them locally, saying the continent must move towards value-added production and technological innovation.
“Equally important is your emphasis that Africa’s abundant natural and human resources must be transformed into value-added production, technological innovation and sustainable prosperity if the continent is to realise its full potential,” he said.
Addressing the graduands, the minister said the strategic leadership skills acquired at the National Defence College must translate into practical policies capable of addressing the complex security and development challenges confronting African countries.
He urged the participants, who are returning to their respective services, ministries, departments and agencies, to deploy their knowledge and networks to strengthen national resilience.
Musa said, “The knowledge and networks you have acquired here must now translate into sound policy, innovative thinking and effective leadership.”
He urged them to champion integrated approaches that would promote economic development while simultaneously strengthening peace and security.
“I encourage you to champion integrated approaches that strengthen national resilience, promote economic development and enhance peace and security, not only within your respective countries but across the African continent,” he added.
The minister congratulated the participants for completing the rigorous programme, saying their training had prepared them for greater responsibilities in national security, governance and strategic leadership.
He also expressed confidence that their experience in governance, democratic leadership and regional diplomacy would contribute meaningfully to efforts to address Africa’s development and security challenges.
Musa’s position comes amid persistent security and economic challenges across parts of Africa, where conflicts, unemployment, poverty and weak institutions continue to undermine development and deepen vulnerabilities in affected communities.
The minister therefore stressed the need for African governments to adopt a broader conception of national security—one that places economic opportunity, institutional strength, technological advancement and human development alongside conventional security measures.
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