Defence College To Become Degrees Awarding Institution – Commandant

Defence College To Become Degrees Awarding Institution – Commandant

The Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu, says efforts are ongoing to get approval for the college to transit into a first grade degree awarding institution.

Olotu disclosed this when the President, National Defence University (NDU) of the United States, Lt.-Gen. Michael Plehn, paid a visit to the college on Tuesday, in Abuja.

He said it was part of the future aspirations of the college to start awarding its own degree, adding that the participant currently awards master’s degrees in Security and Strategic Studies through two institutions.

“The college is thinking of transiting into a first grading degree awarding institution.

“Right now, our participants leave here with a master’s degree brought from two different universities and we have to choose anyone.

“We are in the process of getting application to the National Universities Commission (NUC).

“We are also in the process of amending our act of establishment so that these things will also be captured,” he said.

The commandant said the college was currently operating from a temporary facility is a temporary, adding that permanent site was at different stages of completion with participants currently living at the site.

According to him, the main building that houses offices and classes is near completion.

He called for closer collaboration between NDC and the U.S. NDU in the area of academic exchange programme and capacity development of directing staff.

Olotu said the college had remained committed to providing research based solution to the nation’s security and development, adding that the various service of the armed forces were sponsoring areas of research for their participants.

He said the college also had a centre that conduct researches into various aspects of national life in defence and security, science and technology and all areas of concern.

According to him, the centre also organises lots of seminars and workshops, and collaborate with other similar organisations and research institutes.

Earlier, the President of U.S. NDU, said the U.S. had worked very closely with her friends, allies and partners in the area of defence and security, adding that Nigeria had been a close ally.

Plehn said the purpose of the visit was to compare some of what both defence institutions  had in common in the professional military education realm and the exchange of ideas with each other.