Vice-President Kashim Shettima has charged the graduating cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to remain committed to ethics, discipline, excellence, and patriotism as they take on their constitutional responsibilities.
Shettima delivered the message on Thursday during the NDA’s 35th convocation ceremony in Kaduna, which honoured cadets of the 72 Regular Course, postgraduate students, and honorary degree recipients. He was represented at the event by Senator Ibrahim Hadeja, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President.
The Vice-President stressed that education remains the foundation for national growth, peace, and security. He commended the academy for its consistent pursuit of excellence in military and academic training, describing education as a tool for unity, discipline, and innovation.
Highlighting achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Shettima noted that many of Nigeria’s challenges were tied to educational inequality. He cited the newly established National Education Loans Fund, which provides zero-interest loans to students in public universities, as a measure already increasing access to higher education.
“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 encouraged the graduating cadets and postgraduate students to embody the values of character building and discipline instilled by the academy. “This institution is unique. It’s not just about academic qualifications, but about patriotism, integrity, and responsibility. We are proud of the calibre of graduates produced today and urge them to represent Nigeria with honour,” he added.
NDA’s Milestone Achievements
In his address, NDA Commandant Maj.-Gen. Abdul Ibrahim reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to producing the finest officers for Nigeria’s Armed Forces and allied African nations.
He revealed that 481 cadets, including one from the Republic of Congo, were awarded bachelor’s degrees at the ceremony. In addition, the NDA Postgraduate School graduated 2,618 students, comprising 134 Ph.D. holders, 139 MPhil graduates, 400 Academic Masters, 1,227 Professional Masters, and 718 Postgraduate Diploma recipients.
The commandant noted that the academy is increasingly embracing advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and simulation centres, to enhance cadets’ understanding of modern military strategies and their application in real operations. He expressed appreciation to the Presidency, NDA Council, Service Chiefs, and military establishments for their support.
Honorary Degrees and New Facilities
Two distinguished Nigerians were also conferred with honorary degrees: retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, former Minister of Defence, received a Doctor of Military Science, while Alhaji Tajudeen Dantata was awarded a Doctor of Management.
In addition, Mrs. Musa Oghogho, President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), inaugurated the 38 Regular Course Maternity Centre at the NDA Hospital. The facility was constructed and equipped by members of the NDA 38 Regular Course to support healthcare within the institution.