Defence Minister endorses Senate’s national security summit, calls for strategic measures
By Faith AM
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has thrown his weight behind the 10th Senate’s proposed two-day National Security Summit, describing it as a timely initiative to tackle Nigeria’s growing security concerns.
Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing on President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s scorecard in Abuja at the weekend, Badaru emphasised that while the summit offers a valuable platform for dialogue, true progress lies in transforming ideas into concrete national defence strategies.
Responding to a question from Punch Defence correspondent on his stand on the subject matter, Badaru said: “When you hold a summit, you hear people speak, gather perspectives, and take those insights back to review and strengthen our strategy, which is translated into action. That’s how change happens”.
He commended the National Assembly’s effort to bring stakeholders together, calling it a “commendable move toward inclusive policy-making”, however, stressed that talk must lead to tangible outcomes.
“The National Assembly is trying to bring people together to discuss the security situation. You hear a lot. I’ve personally consulted with many past Defence Ministers and Service Chiefs to understand both past and present challenges, and how we can improve. I’m sure the current Service Chiefs are doing the same”, he added.
Reiterating his position, the Minister concluded that while the summit is a step in the right direction, sustained progress depends on designing, refining, and executing robust defence strategies, not just discussion.
