Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that Africa’s limited industrial capacity is increasingly threatening regional security.

He said unemployment and scarce economic opportunities create conditions that fuel violent extremism, organised crime and irregular migration.

Jonathan made the remarks on Monday while delivering the graduation lecture for Course 34 of the National Defence College in Abuja.

The lecture was titled “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa.”

He noted that since the industrial revolution, Africa has lagged in building strong manufacturing and productive capacity.

This weakness, he argued, leaves the continent vulnerable and dependent, making lasting security difficult to achieve.

The event was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs and other senior security officials.

Speakers emphasised that industrial development is no longer just an economic goal but a strategic necessity for national resilience and regional stability.

Jonathan called on African nations to strengthen indigenous production, advance technology and create sustainable jobs as a way to address the root drivers of insecurity across the continent.