The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is a prestigious military university that plays a crucial role in training the workforce for the Nigerian Army, Airforce, and Navy.
Established in 1964, the academy has evolved over the years, adopting international best practices and expanding its academic programs.
This blog post provides a concise overview of the history and key milestones of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Early Years: The NDA Kaduna, as it is commonly known, commenced its operations in 1964 with an initial student strength of 62 cadets. During its early years, the training officers-in-charge were predominantly officers from the Indian Army, with the first commandant being Indian Army Brigadier M. R Verma. The NDA Kaduna closely followed the training methods of the NDA Khadakwasla in Pune, India.
Development and Expansion: In 1978, the NDA Kaduna transformed into a training facility for the Nigerian military. It also began conducting bilateral training programs for foreign nationals in 1981. Five years later, in 1985, the academy introduced undergraduate academic programs for military officers under training. Today, the NDA offers post-graduate programs, including Masters and Ph.D. degrees, to both civilian and military students.
Training Objectives: The primary objective of the Nigerian Defence Academy is to train cadet officers in academic, military, and character development, aligning with global best practices. The academy’s flagship program is the “Regular Combatant Course,” a rigorous five-year training course. It emphasizes discipline, leadership skills, and the holistic development of cadets.
Commissioning and Graduation: Upon successful completion of the five-year combatant course, cadets are awarded a Bachelor’s Degree and receive a presidential commission into the rank of second lieutenant for Army Cadets, while Navy and Airforce Cadets receive corresponding ranks. Until 2011, the course was exclusively available to male cadets. However, in September 2011, the first set of female cadets commenced their training, marking an important milestone for gender inclusion in the NDA.
Student Strength: Over the years, the Nigerian Defence Academy has experienced significant growth. As of 2019, the total student strength at the academy had reached 2500, demonstrating its increasing importance as a training institution for the Nigerian military.
Conclusion
The Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, has a rich history and has evolved into a premier institution for military training in Nigeria.
With its emphasis on academic excellence, military training, and character development, the NDA continues to produce capable and disciplined officers for the Nigerian Army, Airforce, and Navy.
The academy’s commitment to upholding global best practices and its recent strides in promoting gender inclusion highlight its role as a beacon of military education in Nigeria.