By Nkechi Eze
The National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria, has successfully conducted the third edition of its flagship Strategic National Security Exercise, STRANEX 2025, bringing together participants from NDC Course 33, various Services War Colleges, strategic Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and international stakeholders in a unified effort to enhance national defence preparedness.
The high-level exercise, held in Abuja, was designed to sharpen strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills among senior military officers and top defence policymakers. The event further reinforced inter-agency coordination and reflected Nigeria’s growing international security partnerships.
Speaking during the exercise, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral James Okonson, described STRANEX as a vital part of the College’s curriculum and a powerful training platform for addressing real-world defence and security challenges.
“STRANEX is a critical component of our curriculum, integrating participants into simulated scenarios that mirror real-time crisis situations at the national, operational, and tactical levels,” Rear Admiral Okonson said. “It is a testament to our commitment to building strategic leadership capacity across the armed forces.”
He acknowledged the unwavering support of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, which he said played a pivotal role in the successful execution of STRANEX 2025 despite logistical and operational constraints.
Also speaking at the event, Director of Arms Military Organization and Operations, Brigadier General Oluwagbenga Ojo, highlighted the multidimensional nature of the exercise, stating that it provided a robust platform for developing and refining top-tier defence leadership skills.
“The exercise exposes participants to strategic planning, national security estimates, policy formulation, and response analysis under crisis conditions. It is a training ground for national security decision-makers,” Brigadier General Ojo stated.
Delivering the remarks of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shettima, commended the NDC and affiliated War Colleges for sustaining a programme of such national relevance. He reiterated the importance of joint training, noting that it aligns with the Armed Forces’ broader objective of fostering inter-service synergy in confronting Nigeria’s complex security threats.
“This exercise not only strengthens synergy among our military institutions but also fosters a spirit of unity among key national stakeholders in defence and security,” Rear Admiral Shettima said.
Through his representative, General Musa reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to building a cohesive, adaptive, and resilient defence architecture. He stressed that such strategic-level exercises were indispensable for institutional growth, operational readiness, and the safeguarding of Nigeria’s sovereignty and national interest.
