A Nigerian Army officer, Colonel TG Ajato, has made history by becoming the first International Fellow to win the prestigious Frank Kelly Writing Award at the United States Army War College (USAWC), Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Colonel Ajato achieved the feat after graduating with honours from the Academic Year 2026 programme, emerging among the top performers in a highly competitive class comprising 365 senior military officers and strategic leaders from the United States and allied countries.
The Frank Kelly Writing Award is regarded as the institution’s highest academic writing honour and is presented for outstanding research and scholarly excellence. The award also confers a United States Army War College Foundation Life Membership and other distinguished privileges.
In addition to the award, Colonel Ajato earned a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies, further demonstrating exceptional academic excellence and strategic leadership capabilities.
His achievements extended beyond personal accolades, as he developed sample model answers that were approved by the College for future Oral Comprehensive Examinations, setting a standard for subsequent cohorts of students.
Military authorities described the accomplishment as another significant milestone for the Nigerian Army, reflecting the growing reputation of its officers at leading international military institutions.
The achievement is also seen as aligning with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, which focuses on transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
Observers say the feat underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to developing strategic leaders equipped to address contemporary security challenges and contribute meaningfully to national, regional and global peace and security efforts.
Present at the graduation ceremony were Nigeria’s Defence Attaché to New York, Brigadier General EA Koleoso, as well as family members, friends and other well-wishers who joined in celebrating the landmark achievement.
Colonel Ajato’s historic success adds to a growing list of accomplishments by Nigerian military personnel on the international stage and further highlights the country’s investment in professional military education and leadership development.
