Defence Minister Declares Universities Central to National Security at Akwa Ibom State University Convocation

The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, has affirmed that Nigeria’s university system is central to strengthening national defence and building long‑term strategic resilience. The Chief Information Officer of the Ministry of Defence, Queeneth Iheoma-Hart, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

General Musa made the remarks while delivering the Convocation Lecture at the Combined Convocation Ceremony of Akwa Ibom State University, held at the university’s main campus in Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. Highlighting the changing character of contemporary threats, the former Chief of Defence Staff said that terrorism, cyber warfare and other asymmetric challenges have redefined national defence in the 21st century. He told graduands, academics and dignitaries that modern national security must be knowledge‑driven and anchored in education, innovation, technology and human capacity.

“National defence today is not solely the preserve of the armed forces,” General Musa said. “It requires a whole‑of‑nation approach in which our universities play a strategic role; producing skilled manpower, advancing research and innovation, and cultivating the values that underpin stability and cohesion.”

The Minister further stressed the imperative of deepening collaboration between the defence establishment, government and the academic community to respond to evolving security challenges. He called for sustained investment in education and the deliberate alignment of academic programmes with national security priorities, particularly in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data systems. General Musa also highlighted the importance of structured partnerships between universities and defence institutions to build a modern, self‑reliant and responsive national security architecture. He reminded the audience that national defence is a collective responsibility extending beyond the Armed Forces to all sectors of society, especially the education sector.

General Musa charged the graduating students to embrace their responsibilities as future leaders and nation builders, urging them to uphold discipline, pursue innovation and demonstrate a strong sense of duty in contributing to Nigeria’s stability, progress and prosperity. Iheoma-Hart noted that the Minister’s address has been widely praised by academic and security stakeholders. Queeneth Iheoma-Hart further confirmed that the Ministry of Defence is committed to deepening ties with Nigeria’s university system to enhance national security outcomes.