In line with Nigeria’s drive to strengthen national security and strategic leadership, the Nigerian Navy’s distinguished officer and Chevening Scholar, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, has been appointed the 22nd Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), the nation’s apex military training institution.
Rear Admiral Ahmed succeeds Rear Admiral James Ohimai Okosun at the premier institution, which is renowned for grooming senior military officers and participants from allied nations in strategic leadership, defence policy and national security management.
His appointment reflects the military’s confidence in his exceptional professionalism, leadership acumen and wealth of experience garnered over three decades of meritorious service to the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Before his new role, Rear Admiral Ahmed served as the 7th Commandant of the Naval War College, Nigeria, where he led high-level strategic courses and presided over the graduation ceremony of Command Level Officers’ Course 7. He also previously served as Deputy Chief of Defence Space Administration and Director of Recruitment, Resettlement and Reserve at the Naval Headquarters.
Throughout his distinguished career, Rear Admiral Ahmed has held several command and instructional appointments, including Director of Plans at the Naval Headquarters, Chief Staff Officer at the Naval Training Command, Commander of Naval Base PATHFINDER and Commander of Naval Unit Abuja.
He has also contributed immensely to the professional development of officers as Directing Staff at the National Defence College, the Air Force War College and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, mentoring mid and senior-level officers in defence policy, strategy and inter-agency collaboration.
An alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Rear Admiral Ahmed obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences in 1993. He holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Ghana, Legon (2011), and another in International Security Studies from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom (2014). That same year, he completed the International Cyber Policy Programme at Cranfield University, United Kingdom.
His numerous professional honours include the Grand Service Star (GSS), Pass Staff College Dagger (psc+), and Distinguished Fellow titles from the Air Force War College (afwc+), National Defence College (fdc+), and the Naval War College (defnc). A recipient of the Chief of Naval Staff Commendation, Rear Admiral Ahmed is also a proud Chevening Scholar, one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious global leadership awards.
Widely respected across military and academic circles for his intellectual depth, humility and exemplary leadership, Rear Admiral Ahmed embodies the values of discipline, excellence and service to the nation. He is married with children, and his hobbies include reading and long-range hunting.