Friday, August 29, 2025 - A coalition of northern youth forums has hailed Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, for what they describe as bold and pragmatic reforms in the country’s security sector.
In a statement on Thursday, the forum’s chairman, Ismaila
Muhammad, said the minister’s policies are reshaping Nigeria’s defence strategy
and restoring confidence in the Armed Forces.
Muhammad noted that Matawalle’s emphasis on modernising
defence institutions, adopting technology-driven solutions, and prioritising
the welfare of military personnel has earned him growing respect among young
Nigerians.
“Matawalle is demonstrating that security goes beyond the
battlefield,” the statement read. “He is combining innovation, diplomacy, and
human capital development to strengthen national defence.”
Since assuming office, the minister has pushed for
investment in digital tools, including surveillance systems and unmanned aerial
platforms, to tackle terrorism and insurgency. He has also encouraged local
production of military hardware to reduce dependence on imports.
For many northern youths, these policies represent a shift
towards self-reliance and innovation at a time when insecurity has strained
communities across the region.
Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, is seen as
bringing grassroots experience into his current role. His insistence on closer
ties between the military and local communities has been welcomed by youth
leaders who believe trust-building is vital to winning the fight against
insecurity.
Beyond technology and partnerships, the minister has
repeatedly stressed the importance of personnel welfare. He has called for
better training, improved facilities, and stronger support for the families of
fallen soldiers.
“You cannot have an effective Armed Forces without motivated
men and women,” he said recently, underscoring the link between morale and
operational efficiency.
At the continental level, Matawalle has urged African
countries to embrace joint strategies against terrorism, piracy, and
cybercrime, arguing that “no nation can stand alone against transnational
threats.”
For the northern youth forums, this regional outlook
reflects Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa’s security landscape.
“Matawalle is not only reforming defence but also giving
young people hope that Nigeria can rise above its challenges,”
“The minister’s reforms remain a work in progress, but his
blend of technology, diplomacy, and welfare-driven policies has started to
change the tone of Nigeria’s defence sector,”Muhammad added.
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