NPSC Honours Maj.-Gen. Ezugwu, Defence Leaders for Outstanding Service to Nigeria

NPSC Honours Maj.-Gen. Ezugwu, Defence Leaders for Outstanding Service to Nigeria

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The organisers of the Nigerian People’s Strategic Conference and Defence Exhibition 2026 (NPSC) have honoured the former Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Maj.-General Victor Ezugwu (Retd), along with Minister of Defence and other notable individuals in Nigeria’s security and defence communities for their exceptional contributions to national security, defence development, and governance.

The awards were presented Saturday in Abuja during the conference, which attracted senior government officials, military commanders, lawmakers, security experts and private sector stakeholders from across the country.

Maj.-Gen. Ezugwu received special recognition for the Lifetime Achievement Award for National Service.

He is the first Nigerian to produce a Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle, the EZUGWU MRAP, which was named in his honour during the tenure of former Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (ret.).

The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (Retd), was presented with the Distinguished National Security Leadership Award for his role in strengthening Nigeria’s defence framework and advancing national security initiatives.

Similarly, the director general of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Adeola Ajayi, received the Distinguished National Intelligence Leadership Award in recognition of his contributions to intelligence operations, national security coordination, and the protection of Nigeria’s strategic interests.

The director-general of DICON, Maj. Gen. Babatunde Alaya, was honoured with the Defence Industrial Development Award for his role in driving indigenous defence manufacturing, innovation, and industrial expansion.

In the private sector category, the Chief Executive Officer of EPAIL Nigeria Limited, Engr Kola Balogun, received the Private Sector Security Innovation Award for his investments in security technology and his contributions to strategic national development.

Also honoured was Sen. Osita Izunaso, who received the Legislative Leadership for National Security Award in recognition of his efforts to support security-related legislation and governance reforms.

Speaking during the ceremony, the convener of the conference, Mr Charles Awuzie, said the awards were instituted to celebrate individuals and organisations whose leadership and dedication had significantly contributed to Nigeria’s security and development.

According to him, the recipients have distinguished themselves through innovation, public service, professionalism and a commitment to national peace and stability.

“These awards recognise men and women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment in advancing Nigeria’s security architecture and national development goals,” Awuzie said.

The conference, themed “Building a Modern Security Ecosystem: Integrating Private Sector Capacity into Nigeria’s National Security Architecture,” provided a platform for discussions on security sector reforms, indigenous defence production, intelligence collaboration, and the role of public-private partnerships in addressing contemporary security challenges.

Participants at the event stressed the need for stronger cooperation between government institutions and private sector actors to build a more resilient and effective national security system capable of responding to emerging threats.