The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has been honoured with the Distinguished Alumnus Star Award by the National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria, in recognition of his contributions to strategic military leadership, professional military education and national security.
The award was presented to the Army Chief on Friday, 28 August 2026, during the graduation ceremony of NDC Course 34 in Abuja.
The ceremony was attended by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who was represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima.
The occasion underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to developing strategic leaders and strengthening professionalism across Nigeria’s defence and security architecture.
Lieutenant General Shaibu previously served at the National Defence College as a Directing Staff and later as Director of Coordination, where he played a significant role in advancing strategic thinking and leadership development among senior military officers and other national security practitioners.
The Distinguished Alumnus Star Award recognises his enduring contributions to strategic military education and leadership, as well as his continued commitment to building a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient Nigerian Army.
The graduation of Course 34 also marked another milestone in the NDC’s efforts to equip senior officers and strategic leaders with the knowledge and skills required to address contemporary security and national development challenges.
