Tanzania’s National Defence College Benchmarks With NDC Nigeria to Strengthen Strategic Partnership
The National Defence College (NDC) Nigeria recently played host to a high-level delegation from the National Defence College Tanzania as part of a benchmarking tour aimed at fostering strategic collaboration and deepening institutional capacity in defence education. The visiting delegation, led by the Commandant of NDC Tanzania, Major General Wilbert Ibuge, engaged robustly with their Nigerian counterparts during the visit, which focused on sharing best practices in strategic leadership development and defence policy formulation.
In his opening remarks, Major General Ibuge emphasised that the visit was a benchmark mission designed to gain firsthand insights into the structure, academic programming, and strategic vision of NDC Nigeria. He highlighted the unique responsibilities entrusted to defence colleges in nurturing and developing strategic leaders responsibilities he said, that must be upheld with utmost dedication. He noted that NDC Tanzania, established in 2011, has continued to evolve and adapt its curriculum to reflect national priorities, and visits such as this provide valuable opportunities to learn from established institutions like NDC Nigeria. He also provided an overview of the organisational structure and progress of the Tanzanian college.
On behalf of the Commandant NDC Nigeria, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, the Deputy Commandant, Major General Kelvin Ukandu, warmly welcomed the delegation. He commended the initiative, stressing that NDC Nigeria remains committed to strengthening defence diplomacy and sharing knowledge with friendly nations. Major General Ukandu underscored the college’s mission to empower senior military officers, law enforcement personnel, and strategic-level officials from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) with critical thinking tools necessary for addressing complex national and regional security challenges. He emphasised that strategic leadership is key to national development and security, and institutions like NDC play a pivotal role in shaping such leaders.
During the visit, the Tanzanian delegation received two detailed briefings: one on the structure and core activities of NDC Nigeria, and the other from the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies (CSRS), the research arm of the college. These sessions provided rich insights into NDC Nigeria’s holistic approach to strategic education, policy analysis, and defence planning.
An interactive question-and-answer session followed, allowing for robust exchanges on institutional strategies, challenges, and future cooperation. The visit concluded with a guided tour of the college facilities, giving the Tanzanian team a closer look at the learning environment and resources that support NDC Nigeria’s mission.
