In a strong demonstration of inter-service collaboration and shared commitment to national security, the Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at the Army Headquarters on Monday, 5 January 2026.
The visit underscored the enduring strategic partnership between the Nigerian Army and the apex military institution responsible for grooming senior military officers and top-level public sector leaders in strategic studies and national security management.
Receiving the NDC Commandant, Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to sustaining and strengthening its support for the College. He described the NDC as a critical national asset, noting its unique role in developing strategic thinkers drawn not only from the Armed Forces but also from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
The COAS emphasized that Nigeria’s contemporary security environment demands robust collaboration, shared knowledge, and forward-looking strategies. According to him, addressing evolving security threats requires strong institutional partnerships and a holistic approach to capacity building across both military and civilian sectors.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the Commandant for his ongoing efforts to review and strengthen the College’s curriculum, describing the initiative as timely and responsive to present-day realities. He noted that national security is no longer the exclusive responsibility of the Armed Forces and security agencies, but a collective task that involves critical government institutions and stakeholders.
He further stressed the need for an inclusive, adaptive, and future-oriented curriculum that reflects emerging security concepts, hybrid threats, and the interconnected nature of modern security challenges.
Earlier in his remarks, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed praised the COAS for his proactive leadership and resolute handling of security challenges across the country. He observed that the rapidly changing threat landscape had made it imperative for the National Defence College to continuously modernise its training modules to remain relevant and effective.
The NDC Commandant also sought the guidance of the Army Chief, drawing from his wealth of experience as a former student and Directing Staff at the College. He expressed deep appreciation to the COAS and other Service Chiefs for their consistent support, which he said has remained vital to the College’s growth and effectiveness.
The visit highlighted the shared resolve of both institutions to deepen cooperation, strengthen strategic thinking, and enhance national security through quality training, research, and leadership development—key pillars for safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty and stability in an increasingly complex security environment.
