The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, said that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria is committed to strengthening institutions for efficient governance.

Speaking as guest of honour at the graduation lecture for participants of Course 33 at the National Defence College on Monday, Badaru stated that the Tinubu administration’s efforts to strengthen institutions include leadership appointments, reforms, and new frameworks deliberately designed to promote accountability, professionalism, and effective coordination.

He said, “In alignment with the President’s mission, the Ministry of Defence is focused on building systems that will outlast any administration and secure stability for future generations.”

Badaru stated that the theme of the lecture, “Strengthening Institutions for Good Governance in Africa,” goes to the core of our continent’s future and emphasised that when institutions are weak, nations falter, and when institutions are strong, nations endure, economies grow, and societies thrive.

“Strong nations are not built on strong individuals, but on resilient and accountable institutions,” he said.

The minister observed that although efforts are being made to strengthen good governance and institutional resilience across Africa, peace, security, and development still demand closer cooperation and more robust institutions.

Badaru urged the graduates of Course 33 to embrace their leadership roles, emphasising that their 11-month training programme has equipped them to think strategically, act decisively, and lead with dignity.

“Your task is to strengthen the institutions you serve, for institutions only endure when leaders uphold fairness, accountability, and service to the people,” the minister said.

The Commandant of the NDC, Rear Admiral James Okosun, in his opening remarks, said graduation lectures have been a longstanding tradition of the College, offering an opportunity to engage distinguished leaders whose lives and service exemplify excellence.

“It also serves to inspire and challenge our participants as they prepare to assume higher responsibilities within their services, ministries, departments, agencies, and other strategic institutions,” he said.

He encouraged the participants of Course 33, as future strategic leaders, to recognise the vital role that strong institutions play in promoting good governance, noting that “Without resilient institutions, there can be no enduring security or sustainable development.”