National Defence University China Partners National Defence College Nigeria In Defence and Strategic Studies

The National Defence University of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA NDU) has indicated interest to partner with National Defence College Nigeria (NDC) in the area of defence and strategic studies. This revelation was made by the Vice Commandant, Chinese PLA NDU, Rear Admiral Hu Gang Feng, during a study tour to NDC in Abuja. He said the visit which has 44 participants of the PLA NDU is part of the University’s routine tour to selected countries of mutual interest with China adding that Chinese government and their Nigerian counterpart has enjoyed 50 years of unbroken diplomatic ties.

Rear Admiral Feng further hinted that participants of the PLA NDU comprises of senior officers of the rank of senior colonels of PLA and senior staff of committees who are due for promotion to higher ranks in their various fields of endeavour. “The university is the backbone of the Chinese PLA military as it trains future commanders in joint operations and leadership,” he added. Rear Admiral Gang Feng called for more collaboration not only between PLA NDU and NDC but also between China and Nigeria to ensure a safe and secure future. The collaboration, he said, would provide opportunities for sharing experiences that will help improve understanding and cooperation.

The Commandant NDC, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, thanked the head of the delegation and his team for coming to share experiences with NDC. He stated that the Chinese government has been supportive of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, recalling that Armed Forces of Nigeria has benefitted from China with the support of military assets and exchanges in military training. He emphasised that NDC is the highest military training institution in Nigeria where senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and selected individuals from Ministries Departments and Agencies are trained in leadership and strategic studies that will prepare them for higher commands.

The Commandant added that NDC runs a Master’s degree programme affiliated to the University of Ibadan and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). However, he intimated the visitors of a broader need and necessary plans being made to have the NDC transform into a Defence University and start awarding its own degrees in the near future. “If this plan materialises, and especially with Nigeria, recently becoming a strategic partner to China, cooperation and collaboration with PLA NDU would be of utmost benefit,” the Commandant added.

Highpoints of the visit include presentations on both the NDC and PLA NDU, followed by robust interactive sessions between both faculty members and participants of the 2 institutions.