By Nkechi Eze
The Defence Adviser to the United Kingdom in Nigeria, Brigadier Thomos Harper, Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), paid a courtesy visit to the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) on 30 April, 2025.
The visit which was held at the College’s Conference Room in Abuja, was aimed at deepening mutual understanding, exploring areas of collaboration in professional military education, and fostering enduring relationships between both militaries.
In his remarks, General Harper commended the College for its growing reputation as a centre of excellence in operational-level leadership and strategic military training. He stated that the UK remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s security efforts through knowledge exchange, training support, and collaboration on defence education initiatives.
While responding, the Commandant AWCN Major General Umar Mohammed Alkali expressed appreciation for the UK’s longstanding support to the Nigerian military, particularly in the areas of counterterrorism, capacity building, and research development. He reiterated his Command Philosophy: “To Consolidate AWCN as a Professional Military Education Centre of Excellence”, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in achieving that vision. The Commandant further underscored the value of integrating global perspectives into the College’s curriculum to enhance operational effectiveness and cultivate adaptive, forward-thinking military leadership.
The AWCN remains committed to advancing excellence in military leadership and strengthening partnerships with international allies, in pursuit of its mission to bolster Nigeria’s national security through world-class professional military education.
