Abuja – The Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, has appealed to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for deeper support to strengthen the College’s research capacity, overhaul its curriculum and integrate artificial intelligence (AI) in response to Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.
Ahmed, the 22nd Commandant, made the request during a high-level visit to the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, at the Fund’s headquarters in Abuja, where both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering new areas of collaboration.
“The support will enable us to deepen our research capacity and ensure that our curriculum remains relevant to the evolving national security challenges,” Ahmed said.
He noted that upon assuming office, he initiated a comprehensive curriculum review centred on AI application, strategic thinking and policy development. With TETFund’s backing, he added, the College is poised to achieve the standard required for a modern defence institution.
Ahmed further explained that, as Nigeria’s apex security training institution, the NDC produces strategic research outputs and peer-reviewed journals of continental and global relevance. He appealed for TETFund’s sponsorship of these academic publications.
He also commended TETFund for its sustained infrastructure interventions in tertiary institutions nationwide, including the NDC.
Responding, TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc Sonny Echono, said the newly-signed MoU covers a wide range of collaborative efforts between both organisations. He underscored the importance of supporting institutions like the NDC that drive advanced research and contribute significantly to national development.
Echono praised military personnel for their ongoing sacrifices to keep the country safe, noting that some have paid the highest price in the line of duty.
Reflecting on his long-standing relationship with the NDC dating back to 2008–2009 when he served as Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence, Echono recalled his involvement in the development of participants’ quarters and other major projects at the College’s permanent site.
“As the apex military training institution in the country, it’s only natural that you will lead in the area of intelligence and research,” he said. He added that in recognition of this, TETFund last year introduced a new thematic research area dedicated to the military and intelligence sector, with dedicated annual funding.
Echono emphasised that globally, many scientific breakthroughs originate from military research institutions—citing the Global Positioning System (GPS) as an example—and expressed commitment to supporting innovations that go beyond kinetic operations to contribute to national growth and development.
Plateau News Online 