The graduating cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) have been charged to prioritize ethics, excellence, and patriotism as fundamental values in their military service. Vice-President Kashim Shettima delivered this directive during the NDA’s 35th convocation ceremony.
The prestigious event, which took place on Thursday in Kaduna State, honored cadets of the 72 Regular Course, Post-Graduate students, and various honorary degree awardees. The vice-president was represented at the ceremony by Sen. Ibrahim Hadeja, the deputy chief of Staff to the president.
Shettima stressed that the dedication to these values is critical for national growth and security. He further emphasized the importance of equality in education as the essential foundation for maintaining both peace and security across the nation.
He commended the academy for its unwavering commitment to excellence in both military and academic training, stressing that education must remain a tool for unity, discipline, and innovation.
Shettima highlighted some of the achievements of the President Bola Tinubu administration, stating that many of Nigeria’s security and socio-economic challenges were rooted in educational inequalities.
He explained that the government was addressing this through initiatives such as the National Education Loans Fund, which provides students in public Universities with zero-interest loans to support their higher education.
According to him, the program had already increased access to education for many Nigerian youths who previously faced financial barriers.
“We are confident that the NDA will continue to serve as a credible and reliable partner in building a more stable, dynamic, and secure Nigeria,” he said.
Shettima further urged the cadets and postgraduate students to demonstrate the value of their training as they step into larger responsibilities in society.
He said they should go out there and imbibe the ethics of the character building and academic excellence that they had endured in the course of this.
“This institution is unique in Nigeria in the sense that it’s not just about an academic qualification, it’s about the discipline, the character building, the sense of patriotism that everybody who has passed through it imbibes.
So, we’re very, very proud of the NDA and it is really, really an honour to have attended this graduation and seen the calibre of our graduating students, the excellence in the academics, as you can see from the numerous prizes that we were awarded today.
“So, I call on them to go out there and be good citizens of Nigeria and to never let down the academy and Nigeria, “Shettima said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim, reiterated the academy’s resolve to continue producing the finest officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces and sister African countries.
He said that the NDA had consistently upheld high academic and military standards since its establishment, with training remaining its core mandate.
The commandant disclosed that a total of 481 cadets, including one allied cadet from the Republic of Congo, were awarded Bachelor’s Degrees, marking another milestone in the academy’s mission of producing highly trained military officers.
The NDA Post-Graduate School also graduated an impressive 2,618 students, comprising 134 Ph.D. holders, 139 MPhil graduates, 400 Academic Masters, 1,227 Professional Masters, and 718 Postgraduate Diplomas.
With this, according to him, the academy, reflects its growing role in advanced research, professional training, and capacity development for Nigeria and Africa at large.
The commandant also revealed that the academy had embraced modern technologies, including the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and simulation centers, to enhance cadets’ understanding of military theories and their application in real-life operations.
He expressed gratitude to the Presidency, NDA Council, Service Chiefs, and other military establishments for their support in strengthening the academy’s mandate.
The ,News Agency of NIgeria (NAN) report that the convocation witnessed the conferment of honourary degrees on two distinguished Nigerians.
They were: Retired Maj.-Gen Bashir Magashi and former Minister of Defence, who was awarded the Doctor of Military Science, and Alhaji Tajudeen Dantata, who received the Doctor of Management.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President of Defence Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Musa Oghogho, inaugurated, 38 Regular Course Maternity Centre, constructed and equipped by the members of NDA 38 Regular Course at the NDA Hospital.
