By Nkechi Eze
As part of efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, academic exchange, and mutual understanding among African military institutions, a delegation from the Algerian War College (AWC) on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, visited the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) in Asokoro, Abuja, on a strategic study tour.
The delegation, led by the Head of the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Department of the Algerian War College, Major General Baouche Amirouche, was received by the Commandant of AWCN, Major General Umar Muhammed Alkali, and other senior faculty members.
According to an official signed statement by Major Hashimu Sa’ad Abdullahi, College Public Relations Officer, the visit forms part of the Algerian War College’s continental study tour, aimed at enhancing participants’ understanding of military education systems in allied African nations. The tour also seeks to encourage collaboration in the areas of leadership development, strategic research, wargaming, and defence training methodologies.
In his welcome address, Major General Alkali commended the Algerian War College for choosing Nigeria as one of its study destinations, describing the visit as a significant step toward advancing military diplomacy and joint operational readiness on the continent. He stated, “This visit is a reflection of the growing synergy among African military colleges in our shared commitment to confronting transnational threats through strategic education and cooperation.”
He further emphasized the role of AWCN in developing operational-level leaders who are not only tactically proficient but also strategically inclined. He called for deeper engagements in curriculum development, joint military exercises, counter-terrorism training, and cultural exchanges as means of strengthening inter-military relationships across Africa.
In response, Major General Baouche Amirouche expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Nigerian Army and the AWCN leadership. He noted that the visit had offered the Algerian delegation valuable insights into Nigeria’s defence education framework and strategic training programmes. He particularly lauded the College’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, robust academic curriculum, and its emphasis on operational research and leadership development.
During the tour, the delegation was briefed extensively on the College’s vision, structure, and training modules by Colonel OG Olayinka. They also visited key facilities, including lecture halls, syndicate rooms, simulation centres, and the library, to gain firsthand knowledge of the institution’s academic environment.
The visit concluded with an exchange of souvenirs between both military colleges and a commemorative group photograph to mark the occasion.
This strategic engagement highlights the commitment of both Nigeria and Algeria to advancing continental defence cooperation through knowledge sharing and institutional partnerships.
