Defence Minister Calls for Military Training for Every Nigerian

Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has advocated military training for every Nigerian, saying such experience would help citizens understand the discipline, endurance and sacrifices required in military service.

Musa made the call during his appearance on the African Leadership Podcast hosted by Ken Giami.

The minister said military training would expose Nigerians to the physical and mental demands faced by personnel in the armed forces.

He listed hunger, exhaustion, sleep deprivation and prolonged physical exertion among the challenges military personnel regularly endure.

“If I have my way, every Nigerian should be able to go through military training. I can tell you for free; it will give you a different perspective about life,” Musa said.

According to him, such training would teach people the meaning of endurance and help them develop the capacity to push through difficult situations.

“You will now understand what it means to stay hungry, what it means to work in days without sleep. It will show you what endurance means,” he said.

Musa also spoke about the physical demands of military service, noting that personnel often work with little sleep while carrying out their duties.

He said the experience builds stamina and prepares people to cope with demanding circumstances.

“One, physically it builds your stamina, your capacity to stay and endure a lot,” the minister said.

Musa added that military personnel often sacrifice adequate rest in order to remain available for operations.

He said he personally sleeps late and wakes early because of the demands of his responsibilities.

The minister further urged Nigerians to appreciate the sacrifices made by security personnel who continue to protect communities despite difficult conditions.

He said military personnel have families and personal responsibilities, yet they continue to serve during rain, dust, at night and throughout the day.

“And that’s exactly what the military men are doing, putting their lives at stake for their country to move on,” he said.

Musa also expressed concern over criticism directed at security personnel during military operations.

He said Nigerians ultimately want peace and should recognise the difficult circumstances under which security personnel operate.

Local governments must tackle insecurity

Musa also called for stronger local government administration, arguing that security and development challenges often begin at the community level.

“Crime and development are local,” he said, stressing that local authorities have an important role in preventing criminal activities before they spread.

The minister said local government chairmen should address problems within their communities and stop criminals from establishing a foothold.

“If the local government chairmen are doing their jobs, they will not allow any criminal to work. And if they don’t allow it, the states will be safe. If the states are safe, the federal will be safe,” he said.

Musa linked insecurity to wider social and economic problems, including hunger, poverty and inadequate infrastructure.

He also said counter-insurgency requires both military action and measures that address the conditions that allow insecurity to thrive.

According to him, kinetic operations account for about 25 to 30 per cent of counter-insurgency efforts, while non-kinetic measures account for about 70 per cent.

The minister urged Nigerians to share useful information with security agencies, noting that asymmetric warfare makes it difficult to identify threats.

He said criminals can operate within communities and blend into civilian populations, making public cooperation essential to security operations.

Musa also called for greater accountability in the use of funds meant for local governments and communities.

He said the federal and state governments must ensure that resources reaching local areas address the problems that contribute to insecurity.

Nigeria must produce military equipment locally

The Defence Minister also disclosed that the Federal Government is working to expand Nigeria’s capacity to manufacture military equipment locally.

Musa said dependence on imported equipment could delay military operations because some weapons and platforms take years to procure.

“And remember, we don’t produce the equipment we need; we have to buy,” he said.

He cited the Super Tucano aircraft as an example, noting that Nigeria had to wait about three years after payment before receiving the aircraft.

Musa said President Bola Tinubu had approved partnerships between Nigeria’s defence industry and equipment manufacturers to expand local production.

According to him, Nigerian companies have started producing armoured personnel carriers, mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, ammunition, weapons and drones.

He said several firms are now involved in defence production, while research and development units within the armed forces continue to develop new equipment and technologies.

The minister said the Army, Air Force and Navy each have research and development structures.

He added that the government intends to bring those efforts together to strengthen Nigeria’s defence industrial capacity.

Musa also identified cybersecurity as another area requiring increased attention.

“We need to protect the cyberspace. That’s one other area that is very critical,” he said.