General Oluyede, who was ably represented by Major General Philip Ehizokhale Eromosele, from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), gave the charge during the AWCN Course 9/2025 Graduation Dinner and Award Night at the Nigerian Army Conference and Suite in Abuja.
In his remarks, the COAS commended the Commandant of the College, Major General U.M. Alkali, the Deputy Commandant, faculty members, and the supporting staff for their unwavering dedication to advancing professional military education in Nigeria.
He described the Army War College as a premier institution of strategic learning in Africa, consistently producing officers with the intellectual depth, strategic insight, and operational competence required to navigate today’s complex and evolving security environment.
“Over the past 36 weeks, you have undergone rigorous intellectual and operational training covering national security, military strategy, interagency cooperation, and peace support operations,” he said. “You are now better equipped to provide leadership at operational and strategic levels in joint, interagency, and multinational environments.”
General Oluyede noted the pan-African nature of the course, which included participants from the Nigerian Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as allied officers from Botswana, Cameroon, Chad, The Gambia, and Liberia. He said this multinational composition underscores Africa’s collective approach to tackling emerging security challenges.
Speaking on the course theme, “Security of Forest Reserves for National Defence,” the COAS commended the participants for their forward-thinking research on a critical issue affecting national stability.
"Nigeria’s forest reserves, once ecological sanctuaries, are now increasingly vulnerable to exploitation by criminal elements engaged in illegal logging, mining, terrorism, and cross-border trafficking,” he observed. “Your research highlights the urgent need to integrate environmental security into national defence strategy.”
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces through improved welfare, enhanced equipment procurement, and strengthened interagency cooperation.
While congratulating the graduands, General Oluyede urged them to remain loyal to the Constitution, uphold the values of honour, courage, discipline, and integrity, and sustain the spirit of cooperation and camaraderie fostered during the course.
He also paid tribute to the families of the graduating officers, acknowledging their patience and sacrifices throughout the demanding training period.
“Your success today is not yours alone; it also belongs to your families who stood by you,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN), Major General U.M. Alkali, charged graduating participants of Course 9, 2025, to uphold professionalism, excellence, and strategic leadership in tackling contemporary security challenges confronting Nigeria and the global community.
Major General Alkali noted that the dinner and award night is a long-standing tradition of the Army War College, instituted since its inception in 2017, to foster camaraderie, teamwork, and professional excellence among officers.
“This event provides an avenue for the College community and our guests to celebrate with our participants after their rigorous academic session,” he said. “It also offers an opportunity to recognize award-winning participants and deserving staff who have distinguished themselves through dedication and hard work.”
General Alkali expressed appreciation to successive Chiefs of Army Staff for their consistency in supporting the College’s programs, describing their contributions as instrumental to maintaining the institution’s high standards both locally and internationally. He also lauded the faculty for their dedication in guiding participants through the demanding course and commended the spouses of the graduating officers for their unwavering support throughout the training period.
Addressing the graduating participants, the Commandant urged them to apply the knowledge and strategic tools acquired during the course to develop practical and innovative solutions to emerging security challenges.
“As you leave this noble institution, your services and countries eagerly await your contribution in developing workable options to overcome the myriad of security challenges confronting our world,” he said. “There will be high expectations from you in terms of excellence, knowledge, and quality service delivery.”
He encouraged them to remain proud ambassadors of the Army War College Nigeria, emphasising that their training has prepared them to play critical roles in shaping 21st-century military thinking and strategic operations.
The colourful ceremony, graduation Dinner/Award Night for Army War College Nigeria Course 9/2025 featured presentations of awards to outstanding participants and staff, musical performances, and a celebratory dinner to mark the successful completion of the course.
Dignitaries at the event include the Chief of Defence Intelligence, represented by the Commander Doctrine Command Nigerian Army, the Director General, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, represented by Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Service Headquarters, and the Commander Army Headquarters Garrison. Commanders and Heads of Nigerian Army Establishments, the President of the Nigerian Army Officers' Wife Association, the Commanders of other institutions, our highly revered former Commanders, very senior officers, representatives of various ministries, departments and agencies. Commander of the British Military Advisory and Training Team. The Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies, Army War College, Nigeria. Commander Das Breguet, other directors of the College, members of the external faculty, and participants of the Army War College of Nigeria Course 9, 2025,
The AWCN Course 9/2025 consists of 80 participants, 67 of them from the Nigerian Army, two of each from the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, and nine were allied participants from Botswana, Cameroon, the Czech Republic, the Gambia, and Liberia. The participants are now ready and well prepared to serve at the operational level of single, joint and multinational appointments.
