By: Temitope Mustapha, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received the report of the Course 33 graduates of the National Defence College.
The Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, who led the participants to the Council Chambers on Thursday, in the State House for the presentation, noted that Course 33 comprised 99 participants.
He explained that the graduating set comprised 25 officers from the Nigerian Army, 16 from the Navy, 12 from the Air Force, 5 from the Police, 18 participants drawn from various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), as well as 23 international officers from countries including Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, India, Nepal and Brazil.
Highlighting the theme of Course 33, “Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria,” he said the participants were tasked to research Harnessing Indigenous Manufacturing for Enhanced National Security and Development: Strategic Options for Nigeria by 2040.
He noted that the theme aligns closely with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially his commitment to diversifying the economy, strengthening local production, and bolstering national security.
The NDC Commandant added that although members of Course 33 concluded their programme in August 2025, they were honoured to reconvene for the presentation, in line with the college’s tradition of offering strategic insights on issues of national security and development.
Giving a background to the college mandate, the Commandant noted that the National Defence College, established in 1992, and formerly known as the National War College, serves as Nigeria’s apex institution for professional military education and strategic leadership training.
He said the college prepares senior officers from the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, and key ministries, departments, and agencies for higher responsibilities in national security and policy formulation.
Ahmed added that the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies at the college serves as the ECOWAS Training Centre of Excellence for peace support operations at the strategic level.
“So far, the college has graduated 3,079 participants, including senior officers from the Armed Forces, Police, and strategic government institutions, as well as international participants from Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America,” he said.
The NDC Commandant also appealed for Presidential intervention on the completion of the college’s permanent site along the Abuja Airport Road, describing it as a strategic national project that has remained unfinished since 2010.
According to him, “The college currently operates from its temporary site in the Central Business District due to the non-completion of its permanent site.
“We respectfully seek Your Excellency’s kind intervention to complete this strategic national institution to enable participants dedicate more time to study and professional development.”
Rear Admiral Ahmed assured the President that the college would continue to conduct research on emerging security challenges and present its strategic findings to the government to enhance nation building.
Olusola Akintonde