Minister Of Defence Charges Graduands Of AWC Course 10 To Deploy Professional Competence, Decision Making Skills In Operations

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.) has charged graduands of the Army War College (AWC), Nigeria, Course 10/2026 to combine professional competence with intellectual curiosity, and have the courage to make favourable difficult decisions under pressure.

General Musa gave the charge while addressing the the graduands on Friday 16 October, 2026, in Abuja

“Today is more than the completion of a course, but a point of transition from learning to application and from professional qualification to greater responsibility.

“The value of this college will ultimately be measured not by the certificates alone, but by the quality of judgement the officers bring to leadership, and the results they deliver on the field.

“The task before you therefore, is not simply to respond to threats after they emerge.

“We must strengthen our ability to foresee risks, identify vulnerabilities and adapt faster than those who seek to undermine our national security. I believe that this college have impacted these skills to you,” he stated.

Furthermore, General Musa briefed the graduands, the federal government’s plans to develop indigenous defence capability and seek their support, in that direction.

“At the forefront of strategic vision, we are making effort to develop indigenous defence capability in various areas, while also strengthening cooperation with reliable international partners.

“Our long-term security architecture cannot rest solely on foreign technologies.

“Therefore, we are progressively building the capacity to understand, maintain, adapt and produce systems that respond to our own operational realities.

“This requires purposeful collaboration among the Armed Forces, universities, research institutions, defence industries and Nigerian innovators.

“Our institutions must build capacity for hybrid warfare such as unmanned aerial systems, artificial intelligence, cyber capabilities and data analytics for operational effectiveness.

“As future and current operational and strategic leaders, you have a direct role in this process.

“Innovation is not the exclusive responsibility of engineers, scientists or procurement specialists.

“Commanders are often best placed to identify operational gaps, articulate problems clearly and work to develop solutions.

“You must be able to define problems clearly, and help ensure that solutions are practical and suited to the realities faced by our troops.

“This objective is closely linked to the national vision of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“We have the full support of Mr President in advancing the armed forces and the country, therefore, we must remain professional, loyal and continue to support his vision.

“The nation have invested in your education, the Armed Forces and other agencies have invested in your capacity development and your families have made sacrifices to support your progress.

“That investment carries an obligation. As you report to your formations and appointments, I charge you to demonstrate your value through the quality of your decisions and the integrity with which you discharge your duties.

“Let the knowledge acquired here be visible in better planning, stronger teamwork, and a consistent commitment to mission accomplishment.

“I urge you all to continue to interface with each other at every opportunity for shared future.

Earlier, the Defence Minister commended the AWC Commandant, faculty and staff for their continuous hard work in grooming the officers and maintaining a high standard of the college.

He also felicitated with the graduands for completing 9 months of intensive professional military education.

He acknowledged the perseverance of the allied officers, civilians and security agencies whose participation strengthens the bonds of professional cooperation to achieve the common goal.

Finally, he congratulated the graduands and expressed delight in the reports of their excellent performance during the course.

He also commended the Chief of Army Staff, for the visible progress seen in the infrastructure, and educational advancement of the college.