Defence Minister Backs Senate Summit, Urges Concrete Action; CSO Lauds Tinubu, Badaru’s Collaborative Efforts
By Usman A Harande
Abuja, Nigeria
As Nigeria grapples with multifaceted security challenges, the Honourable Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, has unequivocally endorsed the 10th Senate’s upcoming two-day National Security Summit. He lauded the initiative as a crucial step towards fostering dialogue but strongly emphasized that such discussions must translate into actionable national defence strategies for meaningful impact.
Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing showcasing the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Minister Badaru underscored the imperative of moving beyond rhetoric to tangible results. In response to inquiries from Punch correspondent Mr. Abdullahi Adeba, the Minister articulated his vision: “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 for its commitment to inclusive policy-making by convening diverse stakeholders. “The National Assembly is trying to bring people together to discuss the security situation. You hear a lot,” Minister Badaru remarked. He further revealed his proactive approach, stating, “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.”
Reiterating his stance, the Defence Minister affirmed that while the summit represents a positive development, sustainable progress in Nigeria’s security landscape hinges on the diligent design, refinement, and execution of robust defence strategies, not merely on dialogue.
In a related development, Mr. Saddeeq Mustapha, Director of Information and Communication Strategy at the Civil Society Coalition on Security Peace and Conflict Resolution, praised the dedication of Defence Minister Badaru. “The dedication of the Minister of Defence must be commended; honestly, he is doing his best and consulting stakeholders all the time,” Mustapha stated in an interview.
He echoed the Minister’s sentiment regarding the Senate’s initiative, adding, “This proposed initiative for the two-day security summit by the Nigerian Senate is also commendable. Security is the business of all; we all need to give our contribution to help the government tackle it at the grassroots level. CSOs have great roles to play, and even the constituents – people also, their support and contribution is needed.”
Mr. Mustapha also credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for significant advancements in national security, particularly highlighting the improved synergy among security agencies. “The great achievement of President Tinubu in terms of security is the improvement in coordination and working relationship between the security agencies,” he noted. “This was achieved as a result of Badaru’s tireless efforts and commitment.”
The upcoming Senate summit, buoyed by the support of key figures like Minister Badaru and civil society leaders, is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in galvanizing a united front against insecurity, with a strong emphasis on translating dialogue into decisive, strategic action for a safer Nigeria.
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