The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, held its 35th Convocation Ceremony on Thursday, 25th September 2025, at the Academy Auditorium, marking another milestone in its tradition of conferring prestigious honorary degrees since 1964.

At the ceremony, the Academy conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) in Military Science on Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), CFR, mni, who served as the 17th Commandant of the NDA between July 1998 and June 1999 and later as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence from 2019 to 2023.

The event, declared open by the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa, OFR, was attended by senior military officers, academics, members of the diplomatic corps, and other distinguished guests. Highlights of the occasion included the presentation of General Magashi’s illustrious military and political career, which spans decades of service to Nigeria.

Magashi, who joined the NDA in 1968 as a member of the 5th Regular Course and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1971, also earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and was called to the Bar in 1984. His career saw him serve in key positions such as Commander of the 4 Guards Battalion, 93 and 192 Mechanised Battalions, Deputy Military Secretary at Army Headquarters, Commander 15 Brigade ECOMOG, and as a member of the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC).

He further distinguished himself as Military Governor of Sokoto State (1990–1992), General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, and recipient of several honours, including the Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), ECOMOG Medal, and Silver Jubilee Medal.

In his acceptance speech, the Kano-born retired General described the award as a clarion call to continue contributing to the growth of the Nigerian Military, the NDA, and national development.

By this conferment, Major General Magashi joins the ranks of past NDA honorary degree recipients, including former Heads of State, Presidents of nations, and eminent military leaders whose legacies remain enshrined in the Academy’s hall of fame.