By Obaike Odihue
The Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral A. Ahmed, on Thursday sought Presidential intervention to complete the college’s permanent site located along the Abuja Airport Road, describing it as a strategic national project that has remained unfinished since 2010.
Admiral Ahmed made the request when he led participants of Course 33 of the college on a visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for hosting the delegation despite his busy schedule of managing state affairs.
He said although members of Course 33 graduated in August 2025, they were honoured to reconvene for a presentation on a topic of national importance, in keeping with the college’s tradition of providing strategic insights on security and development.
Giving a brief background, the Commandant explained that the National Defence College, established in 1993 and originally known as the National War College, is Nigeria’s highest military institution for professional and strategic leadership training.
He said the college prepares senior officers from the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, and key ministries, departments and agencies for higher responsibilities in national security and policy formulation.
Ahmed added that the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies at the college serves as the ECOWAS Training Centre of Excellence for peace support operations at the strategic level.
“So far, the college has graduated 3,079 participants, including senior officers from the Armed Forces, Police, and strategic government institutions, as well as international participants from Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America,” he said.
He noted that Course 33 comprised 99 participants, 25 from the Nigerian Army, 16 from the Navy, 12 from the Air Force, five from the Police, 18 from ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and 23 international officers from countries including Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, India, Nepal, and Brazil.
Appealing for the President’s intervention, Rear Adm Ahmed said: “The college currently operates from its temporary site in the Central Business District due to the non-comletion 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.”
Highlighting the theme of Course 33, “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria,” he said the participants were tasked to research on “Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040.”
He noted that the topic aligns with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly his drive to diversify the economy, boost local production, and enhance national security.
Rear Adm Ahmed assured the President that the college would continue to conduct research on emerging security challenges and present its strategic findings to the government.
