By George Omagbemi
Minister of Defence Christopher Gwabin Musa has said sustainable national security, good governance and credible institutions are essential to Nigeria’s ambition of building a trillion-dollar economy.
Musa stated this while delivering a keynote address titled “National Security: Pathway to a Trillion-Dollar Economy” at the 56th Annual Accountants Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by his spokeswoman, Leah Katung-Babatunde, the minister argued that security should be viewed beyond military operations and law enforcement. He said a stable environment protects human capital, safeguards critical infrastructure and gives investors the confidence to commit long-term capital.
“No investor commits capital where lives and assets are not safe,” Musa said.
He acknowledged persistent challenges, including attacks on communities, highway kidnappings and isolated insurgent activities. However, he said ongoing military operations were working to restore stability in economic corridors, agricultural areas and industrial zones.
The minister identified priorities including protecting strategic economic assets, strengthening governance, improving financial accountability in the defence sector, expanding cybersecurity and financial intelligence, and developing domestic defence manufacturing.
He also announced a joint Ministry of Defence–ICAN Implementation Committee to explore specialised training in public financial management, forensic accounting and measures to combat terrorism financing.
Musa said effective security and professional financial management must work together to support sustainable economic growth.
Nigeria’s National Development Plan 2026–2030 also targets a US$1 trillion economy by 2030, with security, governance, infrastructure and human capital among its priorities.
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