***Badaru says national defence must go beyond talk
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, CON, mni, has thrown his support behind the 10th Senate’s planned National Security Summit, describing the initiative as a timely and necessary response to Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.
Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing on the performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Badaru welcomed the summit as a platform for meaningful dialogue, but emphasized that ideas must translate into action if real progress is to be made.
Answering a question from Punch reporter Abdullahi Adeba, the Minister said:
“Summits give you an opportunity to listen, to gather new perspectives. But the value is in taking those insights back, reviewing them, and strengthening your strategy. That’s where transformation begins.”
He praised the National Assembly for taking the lead in promoting inclusive policy development by engaging various stakeholders in the security sector. Nonetheless, he cautioned against allowing the summit to become just another talk shop.
“I’ve personally spoken to former Defence Ministers and Service Chiefs to better understand what has worked in the past and what hasn’t. The current Service Chiefs are doing the same. We must learn from experience and build on it,” he said.
Badaru concluded by stressing the need for continuous improvement in defence planning and implementation, noting that while dialogue is important, Nigeria’s security demands a focus on actionable, long-term strategies.
