Former President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed Nigeria's National Defence College (NDC) Course 33 in Abuja and highlighted the importance of strong institutions for security and development in Africa.
He urged African nations to build robust internal frameworks to strengthen regional alliances, emphasizing, “The foundation of strong regions is strong nations.”
He further encouraged African leaders to prioritize institutional development within their countries to ensure a resilient and collaborative regional security structure.
In his keynote, Kenyatta shared six core lessons from his experience, focusing on how resilient institutions underpin sustainable development and national security. He stressed the need to invest in human capital by fostering accessible socio-economic opportunities for Africa’s youth, which he views as crucial for institutional resilience.
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Kenyatta, a member of the AU High-Level Panel for Ethiopia and the EAC-led Nairobi Peace Process Facilitator discussed the military’s supportive role in national security while under civilian oversight.
He emphasized that trustworthy electoral systems are essential for democracy and warned that weak electoral institutions can erode leadership quality.
He underscored the importance of ethical financial management, advocating for fair tax practices and transparency to establish functional markets and effective governance. “Citizens across Africa are increasingly conscious of the social contract with the state,” he noted.
With over 70% of Africa’s population under 30, Kenyatta highlighted the urgency of creating tangible opportunities for youth, describing Africa’s demographic dividend as ready for immediate action.
The inauguration of NDC Course 33 marked the start of the academic year at Nigeria's top military institution. This institution trains senior military and government officials from across the globe in strategic leadership and security.
This rigorous program will equip participants to address modern security challenges through research, discussion, and policy formulation.
