Education key to countering terrorism, says Defence minister

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd) has said expanding access to quality education remains one of the most effective strategies for defeating terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.

Describing Nigeria’s security challenges as an “asymmetric war,” the minister said terrorist groups and violent extremists often rely on radicalisation and misinformation, making education a critical tool in countering their influence.

A statement on Monday by the Minister’s Media Aide, Leah Katung-Babatunde said Musa stated this on Sunday during the inauguration of the Kaduna Christian Academy in Ungwan Sunday, Sabon Tasha, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The school was constructed by the Department of State Services in partnership with private organisations.

“As Minister of Defence, I view this school as a critical military asset without a single rifle. 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.”

According to him, the commissioning of the school was more than a ceremonial event, describing it as a demonstration of community resilience, inter-agency collaboration and the human-centred approach to national security.

The minister commended the DSS for investing in education and community development, saying the agency had demonstrated that security extends beyond intelligence gathering and law enforcement.

“We see the DSS in a different light – as builders of the future. 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. A secure mind – one that is educated and enlightened – is the best defence against the merchants of chaos,”he was quoted as saying.

The minister urged residents of Ungwan Sunday and the wider Kaduna community to take ownership of the facility and ensure its sustainability.

Addressing the students, he said, “This school is a sanctuary of hope. Here you will learn not only Mathematics and English, but also the values of citizenship, tolerance and critical thinking.”

To parents, he added,”This is a sign that the State has not abandoned you. 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.”

He also said the facility would complement the Kaduna State Government’s efforts to expand access to quality education while strengthening the link between security operations and community development.

Although established to serve the Christian community, the minister said the academy symbolised interfaith harmony and inclusive development, noting that it mirrored the earlier school project constructed for the Muslim community.

He charged the school’s management and teachers to maintain high standards of discipline and professionalism, while urging young people in the community to protect the facility.

“See this school not as a target, but as your inheritance. Work with the DSS and other security agencies as partners in progress,” he said.

The Federal Government has continued to deepen its counter-terrorism strategy by linking security with social development, particularly education. This approach was reinforced on Sunday in Kaduna State when the Minister of Defence inaugurated the Kaduna Christian Academy built by the Department of State Services and partners in Chikun Local Government Area.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to address insecurity by promoting access to quality education and countering radicalisation in underserved communities.