NDA Visits NDC to Deepen Strategic Collaboration and Review MoU

In a move aimed at reinforcing strategic ties and advancing shared institutional objectives, a delegation from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has paid a courtesy visit to the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja. The visit, led by the NDA Commandant, Major General John Ochai, was marked by engaging deliberations centered on enhancing collaboration, refining academic programmes, and reviewing the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two premier military institutions.

Welcoming the delegation, the Commandant of NDC, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, emphasised the importance of aligning both institutions’ academic and operational frameworks to reflect contemporary realities and national defence priorities. He highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence, environmental security, and advanced academic offerings—including the possibility of awarding doctorate degrees to participants entering NDC with Master’s qualifications.

Rear Admiral Olotu reiterated NDC’s commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial partnership and commended the NDA for its proactive engagement in shaping the future of military education in Nigeria.

Earlier, Major General Ochai delivered a statement of purpose for the visit, stressing that the NDA’s engagement with NDC was driven by the shared vision to elevate defence education and training in Nigeria. He praised the NDC for providing a collaborative environment and expressed optimism that the renewed partnership would further consolidate their common goals. He also drew a metaphorical comparison, likening the NDA to the foundation of a structure, the Armed Forces Command and Staff College to the framework, and the NDC to the finishing touch—each playing a vital role in shaping well-rounded military leaders.

A key highlight of the visit was an interactive and engaging session between the two teams, where key issues such as academic exchanges, faculty sabbaticals, curriculum development, and the ongoing MoU were extensively discussed. Both institutions reaffirmed their readiness to build on the solid groundwork already laid through previous agreements—the first signed in 2016 and the second in 2022.

General Ochai noted that collaboration with NDA on postgraduate programmes has significantly reduced costs and ensured timely completion, compared to civil institutions. He underlined the efficiency and strategic value of maintaining academic programmes within the military ecosystem.

The NDA Commandant was accompanied by the Academy Provost and other senior academic staff, reflecting the Academy’s commitment to deepening academic and operational collaboration with the NDC.