Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu, the Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), has unveiled ambitious plans to elevate the institution into a prominent degree-awarding establishment. This announcement transpired during a visit by Lt.-Gen. Michael Plehn, President of the National Defence University (NDU) of the United States, to the NDC in Abuja on Tuesday.
Currently conferring master’s degrees in Security and Strategic Studies through two affiliated institutions, the NDC aspires to independently grant its degrees. Rear Admiral Olotu conveyed that the college is actively pursuing approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and amending its act of establishment to facilitate this transformative step.
While currently operating from a temporary facility, the NDC is making substantial progress towards completing its permanent site, with the main building for offices and classes near completion. Participants in the programs currently reside on-site.
Emphasizing the commitment of the college to providing research-based solutions to national security and development challenges, Rear Admiral Olotu highlighted ongoing collaborations with various armed forces branches. These collaborations involve research in defence and security, science and technology, and other critical areas.
Calling for closer ties with the U.S. NDU, Rear Admiral Olotu proposed an academic exchange program and capacity development for directing staff. He underscored the college’s role in organizing seminars, workshops, and collaborative efforts with similar organizations and research institutes.
Lt.-Gen. Michael Plehn, President of the U.S. NDU, acknowledged the close relationship between the U.S. and Nigeria in defence and security. The purpose of his visit was to explore commonalities in professional military education and exchange ideas between the two defence institutions.
This potential transition of the National Defence College into a degree-granting institution marks a significant stride toward enhancing its academic standing and further solidifying its role in national security and development research. The envisioned transformation holds promise for advancing the educational landscape and strengthening the institution’s impact on crucial research areas.
