By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has charged senior military officers, security operatives, and top executives from the public and private sectors who graduated from the Strategic Management and Policy Studies Course 07/2024 at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, to apply their newly acquired expertise in ways that will strengthen national security, promote good governance, and drive sustainable development.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Abuja, the COAS, represented by the Director General, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major General Gbemiga Adesina described the 11-month executive programme as a “critical investment in Nigeria’s future leadership capacity.” He explained that the course was designed to sharpen participants’ skills in policy formulation, strategic management, leadership, decision-making, and effective resource utilisation, competencies which are central not only to building a well-motivated, combat-ready force, but also to bridging operational gaps between the armed forces, intelligence agencies, and civil institutions.
Lieutenant General Oluyede noted that Nigeria’s evolving security landscape requires leaders who can integrate strategic thinking with practical solutions, stressing that graduates must see themselves as agents of change capable of influencing policy direction, enhancing institutional efficiency, and fostering synergy across sectors.
Earlier in his address, the Director General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General Garba Wahab (Rtd), commended the increasing diversity of participants in the programme, highlighting the inclusion of personnel from sister security agencies and civilian organisations. He emphasised that strategic management thrives on collaboration, mutual trust, and the ability to anticipate and manage risks in complex operational environments.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Course President, Major General Sunday Igbinomwanhia assured that the graduates would deploy the knowledge and insights gained during the programme to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s stability and progress. He revealed that the class had undertaken extensive research, case studies, and scenario planning aimed at developing workable solutions to contemporary national and global challenges.
The Strategic Management and Policy Studies Course is widely regarded as one of NARC’s flagship programmes, producing a network of strategic leaders drawn from the military, intelligence community, law enforcement, civil service, and the private sector. This year’s graduation, which began with a ceremonial luncheon on 7 August 2025, reinforced the centre’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning, high-level policy analysis, and leadership excellence.
Providing details of the programme during the course highlight presentation, the Director of Human Resource Development, Brigadier General A. Haruna, explained that the course was inaugurated on 14 November 2024 after the assembly of participants on 27 September 2024. It is designed for senior personnel from the armed forces and other strategic agencies, with eligibility for officers from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier General and their equivalents.
According to him, the course objectives include strengthening participants’ capacity in policy analysis, formulation, and evaluation; deepening their understanding of the relationship between public policy and national development; and equipping them with skills for constructive policy engagement in diverse environments.
The 45-week programme was structured into five thematic areas policy, management, entrepreneurship, research methodology, and psychology, covering modules such as fundamentals of public policy, policy-making and analysis, management theory and practice, and strategic engagement. Participants were trained to critically analyse and review policies, apply strategic thinking in leadership, resolve conflicts, manage complex organisations, explore business opportunities, and develop sustainable ventures.
To bridge theory with practical experience, the course incorporated three tiers of study tours. Locally, participants visited ministries, agencies, and industries in Abuja, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry, Nigerian Army Farms, and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council. Nationally, they embarked on a study tour to Taraba State from 3 to 7 March 2025, engaging with institutions such as the Taraba State Internal Revenue Service, Technology Incubation Centre, Biotechnology Agency, and Natu Water Factory. Internationally, from 6 to 22 February 2025, they travelled to the Republic of Rwanda, visiting the Genocide Memorial Museum, Rwanda Defence Force Headquarters, Rwanda Cooperation Agency, and the Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital.
The 25 graduates comprised five Major Generals, four Brigadier Generals, and one Colonel from the Nigerian Army; three Air Commodores from the Nigerian Air Force; two Assistant Directors of Internal Security from the Department of State Services; one Assistant Controller and two Chief Superintendents from the Nigerian Customs Service; one Deputy Director and four Assistant Directors from the Defence Intelligence Agency; and two Assistant Directors from the National Youth Service Corps.
In recognition of NARC’s collaboration with the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), all graduates will be awarded a Master’s degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies from the NDA, alongside the NARC Certificate of Participation.
The graduation ceremony, attended by senior military officers, dignitaries, and invited guests, concluded with the presentation of certificates by the Special Guest of Honour.
