The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening institutions as the bedrock of good governance and national stability.
Speaking at the Graduation Lecture for Course 33 of the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, on Monday, Badaru stressed that “strong nations are built on strong institutions, not strong individuals.”
He noted that reforms and leadership appointments under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda are aimed at entrenching accountability and professionalism across government institutions, particularly in the defence sector.
Addressing the graduating participants, the Minister charged them to embrace integrity and principled leadership in their careers. “Leadership is a trust. Your responsibility is to leave behind systems stronger than you found them,” he said, urging them to prioritize accountability and institutional strengthening in all their duties.
Badaru also commended African governments, the African Union and ECOWAS for their efforts in promoting governance, peace and development across the continent.
He called for deeper regional cooperation to consolidate these gains and build more resilient systems.
The Minister further lauded President Tinubu for his unwavering support to the Armed Forces and the National Defence College. He also welcomed the contribution of former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose lecture at the event, he said, would inspire the next generation of African leaders.