The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, has said sustainable national security, strong governance and credible institutions are essential for Nigeria’s ambition of becoming a trillion-dollar economy.
Speaking at the 56th Annual Accountants’ Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, the minister said national security should be regarded not only as a military and law enforcement responsibility but also as a key driver of economic growth.
According to Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, Musa delivered a keynote address titled “National Security: Pathway to a Trillion-Dollar Economy” before an audience of professional accountants, policymakers and business leaders.
The minister said a secure environment protects human capital, safeguards critical infrastructure and creates the stability needed to attract long-term investment.
“No investor commits capital where lives and assets are not safe, and no economy grows beyond the reach of its security,” Musa said.
While acknowledging security challenges such as community attacks, highway kidnappings and isolated insurgent activities, he said ongoing operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria were making progress in restoring stability across economic corridors, agricultural belts and industrial zones.
Musa stated that, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government is pursuing strategic priorities aimed at leveraging security for economic expansion.
These include the protection of strategic economic assets, promotion of good governance and human capital development, defence financial discipline, cybersecurity and financial intelligence, as well as strengthening domestic defence industrial capacity.
The minister also announced the establishment of a Joint Ministry of Defence-ICAN Implementation Committee to develop collaborative frameworks proposed by ICAN President, Hajia Queensley Seghosime, mni, FCA.
According to him, the partnership will focus on specialised training in public financial management and accounting standards for Armed Forces personnel, joint programmes in forensic accounting and financial intelligence to combat terrorism financing, and improved corporate governance and welfare schemes for military veterans.
Musa commended ICAN for its commitment to fiscal discipline and transparency, stressing that security and sound financial management remain crucial to Nigeria’s long-term economic prosperity.
