Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, has identified quality education as one of the most potent weapons against terrorism and violent extremism, insisting that the battle against insecurity cannot be won through military force alone.
The Defence Minister made the assertion during the inauguration of the Kaduna Christian Academy in Ungwan Sunday, Sabon Tasha, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, describing the newly established school as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s long-term security architecture.
The academy was constructed by the Department of State Services (DSS) in collaboration with private sector partners as part of efforts to promote community development and address the root causes of insecurity.
In a statement issued by his Media Aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde, Musa described Nigeria’s security situation as an “asymmetric war,” explaining that terrorist organisations often exploit ignorance, misinformation, and hopelessness to recruit and radicalise vulnerable populations.
According to him, expanding access to quality education remains one of the most effective strategies for countering extremist ideologies and insulating young people against violent influences.
“As Minister of Defence, I view this school as a critical military asset without a single rifle,” Musa said.
“True and lasting security is anchored on the defeat of ignorance and the conquest of hopelessness. This school is a weapon of mass instruction in the right hands.”
The minister noted that the commissioning of the educational facility represented more than the unveiling of another school building, describing it as a demonstration of resilience, inter-agency collaboration, and a people-centred approach to national security.
He commended the Department of State Services for extending its mandate beyond intelligence operations to initiatives capable of transforming lives and strengthening communities.
“We see the DSS in a different light as builders of the future,” he said.
“By constructing this academy, the Service has shown that internal security is not just about surveillance and arrest. It is about winning the confidence of the people.”
Emphasising the transformative power of education, Musa added, “A secure mind one that is educated and enlightened is the best defence against the merchants of chaos.”
The Defence Minister further appealed to residents of Ungwan Sunday and the wider Kaduna community to take ownership of the institution and ensure its sustainability for future generations.
Addressing the students who would benefit from the facility, he described the school as a place where hope would flourish and leadership would be nurtured.
“This school is a sanctuary of hope,” Musa told the students.
“Here you will learn not only Mathematics and English, but also the values of citizenship, tolerance and critical thinking.”
He urged the young learners to embrace education as a pathway to personal growth and national development, reminding them that the future of the country depends largely on the quality of its human capital.
The minister also had words of reassurance for parents in the community, noting that the project demonstrated government’s concern for citizens beyond political rhetoric.
“This is a sign that the State has not abandoned you,” he said.
“When your children learn in a classroom built by the security services, it sends a clear message that the government cares about your future beyond the next election cycle.”
Musa noted that the academy would complement the efforts of the Kaduna State Government to improve access to quality education while strengthening the relationship between security institutions and local communities.
Although the school was established primarily to serve the Christian community, the minister stressed that it represented a broader vision of inclusion, peaceful coexistence, and interfaith harmony.
He explained that the initiative mirrors a similar educational intervention previously undertaken for the Muslim community, reflecting a commitment to equity and national unity.
The Defence Minister also challenged the management of the school and its teaching staff to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and academic excellence.
He urged young people in the community to see the institution as a shared heritage deserving protection.
“See this school not as a target, but as your inheritance,” Musa advised.
“Work with the DSS and other security agencies as partners in progress.”
Observers say Musa’s remarks align with a growing consensus among security experts that military operations alone cannot effectively address the multidimensional drivers of insecurity, including poverty, social exclusion, unemployment, and educational deprivation.
The Federal Government has increasingly integrated social interventions into its counter-terrorism strategy, recognising that sustainable peace depends not only on defeating armed groups but also on addressing the conditions that make extremist narratives attractive.
