By Samuel Ike, Abuja

The National Defence College (NDC) has conferred its prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Star Award on the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to strategic military leadership, professional military education, and national security.

The award was presented on Friday during the graduation ceremony of National Defence College Course 34 in Abuja, attended by senior military officers, government officials, diplomats, and security stakeholders.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, graced the occasion, which highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening strategic leadership and professionalism within Nigeria’s defence and security institutions.

The honour recognizes Lieutenant General Shaibu’s distinguished service and long-standing contributions to the development of military strategy, leadership training, and national security management.

Before becoming Chief of Army Staff, Shaibu served in several strategic capacities at the National Defence College, including as a member of the Directing Staff and later as Director of Coordination. During his tenure, he played a key role in mentoring senior military officers and enhancing the institution’s capacity for strategic-level training.

The National Defence College noted that the award reflects Shaibu’s dedication to advancing professional military education and his efforts in building a modern, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient Nigerian Army capable of addressing contemporary security challenges.

As Nigeria’s highest institution for strategic military training, the National Defence College provides advanced education for senior officers of the armed forces, security agencies, and selected public-sector leaders. The institution serves as a platform for developing strategic thinking, policy formulation, and leadership skills required to tackle complex national and international security issues.

The graduation of Course 34 marks another milestone in the college’s mandate of producing highly skilled strategic leaders for Nigeria and allied countries. Participants in the programme undergo intensive studies in national security, defence management, international relations, conflict resolution, and strategic leadership.

The event also underscored the growing importance of inter-agency collaboration in addressing emerging security threats, including terrorism, insurgency, cybercrime, transnational organized crime, and economic sabotage.

Military analysts described the recognition as a reflection of Shaibu’s professional accomplishments and his contributions to strengthening the operational effectiveness and institutional capacity of the Nigerian Army.

The award further reinforces the National Defence College’s tradition of recognizing distinguished alumni who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to national development and security.

The graduation ceremony concluded with a renewed call for sustained investment in leadership development, strategic education, and institutional reforms aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s security architecture and promoting national stability.