Monday, August 11, 2025 - The National Assembly has intensified plans to ease the smooth transition of the Military-Focused Schools’ graduates into the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the
development is part of strategy to enhance the combat strength of the armed
forces.
The four military-focused schools are: the Nigeria Military
School Zaria, Kaduna, the Air Force and the Military School Jos, in Plateau.
Others are Air Force Military School (Girls) Jos, Plateau
and the Navy Military School Ikot-Ituen, in Akwa Ibom.
Alhaji Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, member, representing
Doguwa/Tudun-Wada Federal Constituency, Kano, disclosed this on the sidelines
of 67th Passing Out Parade (POP) of the Nigeria Military School (NMS) in Zaria.
Ado-Doguwa said the bill to amend the Nigeria Defence
Academy (NDA) Act had passed second reading.
According to him, the bill seeks among others, the seamless
transition of students from the four Nigerian military schools into NDA.
The lawmaker noted that most of the students of the military
schools had acquired some of the basic arms handling and military skills,
adding that such students should be encouraged to pursue a career in the
military.
This, according to him, will enhance the combat strength of
the Armed Forces, while assuring that the bill will have an overwhelming
support of the national assembly.
NAN reports that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen.
Olufemi Oluyede, had restated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a
well-educated, professionally competent and future-ready army, through
strategic investment in education.
The COAS. who was the Reviewing Officer and Special Guest of
Honour at the ceremony, was represented by Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, General
Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna.
Oluyede said there was a window of opportunity for
graduands, who intended to pursue a career in the military, to get placement
into the NDA.
However, the COAS further explained that the criteria for
admission into the NDA were spelt out, stressing that such criteria were
applicable to all Nigerians.
He added that the graduating students were encouraged to
apply, because they have a better advantage, following the preliminary military
training and orientation they obtained at the NMS.
In an interview, Mr Ikenna Madueke, Chairman, Parents and
Instructors’ Association, NMS, urged the government to expand budgetary
provisions for military training toward accommodating more cadets to bolster
the manpower needs of the armed forces.
Madueke reiterated that boys and girls from the military
schools received both academic and military training.
He noted that they would become masters in arms and martial
arts by the time they graduated from the school.
“As parents, we are looking at ways where these military
training in ex-boys can be harnessed, through their integration into NDA, just
as the global trend,’’ he said
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