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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, has appealed for President Bola Tinubu’s assistance in completing the college’s permanent campus along Abuja Airport Road.
He described the project as a vital national asset that has been stalled since 2010.
Leading the delegation from Course 33 on a visit to the Presidential Villa, he praised the President for receiving them despite his demanding schedule.
Though Course 33 graduated in August 2025, the Commandant said they were privileged to regroup for a presentation centred on Nigeria’s strategic issues, consistent with the college’s commitment to national security and development thought leadership.
Established in 1993 originally as the National War College, the NDC is Nigeria’s foremost institution for high-level military and strategic leadership education. Rear Admiral Ahmed explained its role in training senior officers from the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police and key government ministries, departments and agencies in preparing for advanced national security roles and policymaking.
He added: “The Centre for Strategic Research and Studies at the College serves as the ECOWAS Training Centre of Excellence for peace support operations at strategic levels.”
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Highlighting the breadth of the college’s impact, he said it has graduated 3,079 participants, including international officers from Africa, Europe, Asia and South America.
Course 33 consisted of 99 participants, comprising 25 from the Army, 16 from Navy, 12 from Air Force, five from Police, 18 from various government MDAs and 23 international officers from countries like Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, India, Brazil and many others.
Making the case for urgent completion of the permanent site, Rear Admiral Ahmed stated, “The college currently operates from its temporary site in the Central Business District due to non-completion of its permanent site. We respectfully seek Your Excellency’s kind intervention to complete this strategic national institution to enable participants dedicate more time to study and professional development.”
The course’s theme, “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria,” led participants to focus their research on “Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040.”
He emphasised that this research complements President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially efforts to diversify the economy and improve security through boosting local industry.
He assured the President that the college would continue to provide insightful research on emerging threats and offer strategic advice to the government.
