By Nkechi Eze
Since its establishment in 2017, the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) has steadily evolved into the Nigerian Army’s premier institution for operational-level military education, renowned for shaping the strategic thinking, analytical capacity, and leadership acumen of senior officers from the Nigerian Army, sister services, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as allied nations. Over the years, the College has carved out a unique role in Nigeria’s defence architecture, not merely as a training ground, but as an incubator for cross-sectoral collaboration, policy innovation, and operational excellence.
On Thursday, 14 August 2025, the College marked another historic step in that journey with the inauguration of its Alumni Association at the Tukur Yusuf Buratai Auditorium in Asokoro, Abuja. The gathering drew a distinguished audience that included past and serving military leaders, members of the diplomatic corps, policymakers, defence scholars, and senior officers from diverse security and governance institutions. The mood was one of pride, reflection, and forward-looking resolve, as the AWCN sought to consolidate its influence beyond the classroom and into the wider arenas of national security strategy and defence diplomacy.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. O.O. Oluyede, the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Maj. Gen. Maxwell Dangana, set the tone for the day’s proceedings, describing the inauguration as far more than a symbolic celebration. “This is a reaffirmation of the Nigerian Army’s enduring commitment to operational excellence, professional military education, and strategic leadership development,” he declared. Maj. Gen. Dangana stressed that AWCN graduates form “a reservoir of strategic knowledge, operational experience, and institutional wisdom” a resource that must be actively tapped to drive national development and contribute to regional stability in an increasingly unpredictable world.
The COAS, through his representative, observed that the Alumni Association would provide a structured platform for continuous engagement, enabling former participants to share insights, refine strategies, and maintain vital lines of communication across services and sectors. He emphasised that the challenges of the 21st-century security landscape, ranging from terrorism, insurgency, and cyber warfare to disinformation campaigns and geopolitical instability demand not only well-trained personnel but also robust professional networks that foster unity of purpose and operational synergy. “We face an era of multi-dimensional threats,” he noted. “Responding effectively requires not just well-trained personnel, but also strong strategic networks promoting unity of effort across all levels of security and governance.”
Special Guest of Honour and founding Chief of Army Staff of the College, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), offered both praise and challenge to the newly inaugurated body. He hailed the occasion as “a significant milestone” and “a deliberate step toward institutional memory, strategic continuity, and building a professional network anchored on shared values, experiences, and vision.” Drawing parallels with similar bodies in leading defence institutions around the world, Buratai urged members to adopt a global perspective, leveraging their collective expertise to influence defence policy, spearhead research, and position Nigeria as a credible contributor to global security leadership. “Your membership should not end with today’s ceremony,” he cautioned. “It must translate into active engagement in policy advocacy, defence research, and strategic partnerships that enhance our national and regional standing.”
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Commandant of the College, Maj. Gen. Umar Mohamed Akali, framed the inauguration as “a historic milestone” that underscored AWCN’s role in preparing leaders for complex and fluid operational environments. He explained that the Alumni Association, approved by the College’s Governing Board, was envisioned as a multi-purpose platform, a hub for mentoring, collaborative learning, and projecting the College’s values both nationally and internationally. He revealed that the day’s programme was carefully designed to combine ceremonial and intellectual elements, with lectures from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), the National Defence College (NDC), and the National Defence University (NDU), Washington DC, providing global perspectives on alumni engagement, strategic networking, and the preservation of institutional legacies.
One of the standout moments came during the address by guest speaker Maj. Gen. AE Edet, who drew extensively from his experience at the National Defense University in the United States. He highlighted the transformative value of diverse professional networks, remarking that “the stronger the mix, the richer the network becomes.” His point resonated with the audience, underscoring that alumni associations are not simply platforms for nostalgia, but instruments of influence, policy shaping, and operational impact.
Equally compelling was the inaugural lecture by Brig. Gen. Jonathan Temlong (Rtd), who challenged members to see themselves as custodians of the College’s legacy and catalysts for innovation. He called on them to mentor younger officers, safeguard the traditions of the Nigerian Army, and publish thought leadership materials that advance operational art and security innovation. “This association should become a platform that drives research, fosters knowledge-sharing, and promotes cooperation in pursuit of national development,” he urged.
The ceremony, rich in symbolism featured the presentation of souvenirs, the unveiling of the alumni logo, the formal inauguration of the interim executive committee, and group photographs that captured the day’s significance for posterity. For many in attendance, the event was more than a formal launch; it was the beginning of a new chapter in the AWCN’s evolving story, one where its alumni would thrive, endure, and inspire in the service of Nigeria’s defence and prosperity.
