Former Ghanaian statesman, H.E President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has delivered the keynote presentation at the Graduation Lecture for participants of Course 33 at the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja, Nigeria. 
The lecture, attended by the Minister for Defence, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and the Commandant of the NDC, Rear Admiral James Ohimai Okuson, brought together graduating officers from across Africa, South America, and Asia.
Speaking on the theme “Strengthening Institutions for Good Governance in Africa”, the keynote speaker underscored the continent’s multi-faceted and complex journey toward institutional development.
He emphasized the importance of tighter oversight, digital transparency, inclusive nation-building, fiscal reforms, citizen participation, and stronger legal systems as crucial measures to foster inclusiveness and end state fragility.
The National Defence College of Nigeria trains future strategic leaders with the skills and knowledge to navigate dynamic defence and security environments.
Reflecting on this mission, the speaker highlighted Ghana’s own progress in defence education, recalling that in 2023, Ghana established the College of Defence Studies to train senior-level personnel for critical national security and defence roles.
He noted with pride that in 2024, he granted the College a Presidential Charter, elevating it to the status of an autonomous National Defence University.
Course 33 of the National Defence College included participants drawn from multiple continents, reflecting Nigeria’s growing role as a hub for defence and security training at the strategic level.
