Defence minister urges military, civilian staff to promote unity, professionalism

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), has called on civilian and military personnel within the ministry to prioritize unity, professional ethics, and constructive dialogue to boost operational productivity and service delivery.

Speaking on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja during the Ministry’s Union Week Celebration and Award Presentation Day, General Musa emphasized that industrial harmony requires mutual respect, fairness, and shared institutional goals rather than a mere absence of workplace disputes.

The defence minister, who received the 2026 Union Award alongside selected management and staff, highlighted the critical role civilian workers play in supporting military operations through administrative, technical, logistical, medical, and legal expertise.

Key points emphasized during the address include:

• Professional Ethics and Innovation: General Musa urged staff to embrace accountability and continuous self-improvement, challenging workers to question outdated practices and find innovative ways to enhance operational standards.
• Workforce Collaboration: The minister underscored that national security effectiveness relies on seamless cooperation between military leadership, civilian civil servants, and organized labor unions.
• Recognition of Service: Commending award recipients, General Musa noted that recognition serves as a call to higher responsibility, encouraging personnel to maintain dedication to national service.

Addressing the assembly, the director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Bosede Olaniyi, noted that this year’s theme, “Promoting Industrial Harmony and Professional Ethics in the World of Work,” reinforces the need for fairness and open channels of communication across the defence sector.

President of the Joint Executive Council (JEC), Dahiru Goronyo, commended the ministry’s executive management for fostering a cooperative relationship with staff unions, reaffirming the workforce’s commitment to improved service delivery.