Contemporary international landscape is characterised by volatile security challenges affecting every segment of society. Terrorist attacks, ethno-religious conflicts, banditry, climate change-inspired resource conflicts, etc, are all pressing realities of our time. These challenges have awakened the consciousness of the international community to the need for concerted actions in defence of their national and shared security interests.
The main preoccupation of the Department of Defence and Security Studies (DDSS) is to intellectually engage with the evolving defence and security challenges, with particular emphasis on their implications for Nigeria and Africa at large. In this respect, keen interest is devoted to globalisation which has led to the emergence of a more inter-dependent world where threats emanating from one state can almost instantaneously affect the security of another state. Globalisation has altered the security landscape and given rise to new security threats, including asymmetric warfare and transnational organised crimes.
However, defence does not necessarily mean the ultimate use of hard or military power or force alone. Research at the Department is thus equally focused on the application of soft power and non kinetic strategies as effective tools for achieving the nation’s strategic objectives in an emerging global society.
About the HOD – Dr Charles Akale
Dr Charles Sokomba Akale is a Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Department of Defence and Security Studies at the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, National Defence College, Abuja, Nigeria. He holds a PhD in Defence and Security Studies from the School of Postgraduate Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna; a Master’s degree in International Relations from Royal Holloway, University of London, United Kingdom; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and War and Conflict Studies from the University of Westminster, London. His research interests span civil–military relations and cooperation, countering violent extremism and civil society engagement, counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, regional interventions and collective security, intelligence management and national security, as well as social media and digital governance. Dr Akale has attended numerous international and local professional courses in related fields and possesses extensive experience in report writing, academic publishing in peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, and policy-oriented research. He also serves regularly as a facilitator at workshops and seminars.
The vision of the Department of Defence and Security Studies (DDSS), under the leadership of the Head of Department, is to position the Department as a policy-relevant, intellectually rigorous, and strategically responsive centre of excellence in defence and security studies, one that bridges research, policy, and practice in support of Nigeria’s national security and strategic governance. Guided by a commitment to impact-driven scholarship, whole-of-society security thinking, and strategic innovation, the DDSS seeks to shape informed decision-making, strengthen civil–military relations, and contribute to sustainable security outcomes in Nigeria and the wider region.
Mandate
In pursuit of this vision, the Department of Defence and Security Studies is mandated to undertake the following core functions:
- Policy-Oriented Research and Strategic Analysis
Conduct applied, interdisciplinary, and forward-looking research on defence and security issues, both conventional and emerging, with a focus on generating actionable insights that inform national security policy, strategy, and operational planning. - Support to National Defence College Academic Programmes
Provide intellectual and academic support to NDC programmes through curriculum development, lectures, seminars, syndicate participation, and supervision of research, ensuring alignment with contemporary and future security challenges. - Whole-of-Society and Governance-Focused Security Frameworks
Promote inclusive security approaches that integrate governance, development, technology, civil society, and strategic communication perspectives into defence and security discourse. - Thought Leadership and Strategic Communication
Institutionalise thought leadership through high-quality publications, policy briefs, strategic dialogues, and expert engagement, contributing to informed public discourse, narrative management, and counter-disinformation efforts in the security domain. - Innovation and Emerging Security Domains
Mainstream emerging issues, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, climate security, hybrid threats, and information operations, into research, teaching, and policy engagement, with emphasis on context-specific and ethical applications. - Capacity Building and Professional Development
Design and deliver targeted training, workshops, and executive courses for security sector professionals, policymakers, and allied stakeholders to enhance strategic thinking and institutional effectiveness. - Partnerships, Collaboration, and Resource Mobilisation
Strengthen partnerships with national and international academic institutions, think tanks, and development partners to advance collaborative research, staff development, and sustainable funding for departmental initiatives. - Institutional Relevance and National Impact
Ensure that departmental outputs remain aligned with Nigeria’s national security priorities, reform agenda, and regional obligations, reinforcing the relevance and impact of DDSS within the broader security architecture.
Strategic Orientation
Through this vision and mandate, the Department of Defence and Security Studies will function as a strategic knowledge engine of the National Defence College, producing policy-relevant research, nurturing strategic thinkers, and contributing meaningfully to the advancement of Nigeria’s defence and security governance.