Defence College honours army chief with alumnus star award
August 28, 2026 4:03 pm
Army chief and Vice President Shettima
The National Defence College has honoured the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, with the “Distinguished Alumnus Star Award for his contributions to strategic military leadership, professional military education and national security.”
Shaibu received the honour on Friday during the graduation ceremony of National Defence College Course 34 in Abuja.
The Nigerian Army announced the award in a post on its official X account, saying it recognised the Army chief’s contributions to strategic military leadership, professional military education and national security.
The ceremony was attended by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The occasion, according to the Army, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to developing strategic leaders and strengthening professionalism within Nigeria’s defence and security architecture.
Shaibu has a previous association with the National Defence College, where he served as a “Directing Staff and later as Director Coordination.”
The Army said his roles at the college saw him contribute to the development of strategic thinking and leadership among senior military officers and other national security practitioners.
It said the Distinguished Alumnus Star Award recognised his “contributions to strategic military education and leadership, as well as his efforts towards building a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient Nigerian Army.”
The graduation of Course 34 comes as the National Defence College continues its mandate of providing strategic-level training to senior officers and other national security practitioners.
The institution brings together personnel from the military, government and other sectors to broaden their understanding of national and international security challenges and strengthen strategic leadership.
Tosin Oyediran is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of professional experience in reporting and storytelling. He is known for conducting incisive interviews and producing compelling human-angle stories that bring clarity and depth to the news. Tosin covers a broad range of beats including politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment, with a strong focus on people-centred reporting. His work reflects firsthand newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to accurate, engaging, and trustworthy journalism.
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