The Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation (CDTI), AVM Hassan Alhaji, has called for a stricter, merit-based admission process into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

Mr Alhaji made the call during a transformation monitoring and evaluation visit to the academy,  according to a statement by the NDA Public Relations Officer, Maj. Njoka Irabor, on Saturday in Kaduna.

Mr Alhaji said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, was particularly interested in strengthening the academy’s admission process to ensure that only the most qualified candidates were admitted and commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The CDTI also commended the NDA for the improvements recorded in the training of officer cadets, describing the academy as the bedrock of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Defence Headquarters to supporting the academy through improved infrastructure, learning resources, curriculum reviews and a more rigorous cadet selection process.

Mr Alhaji said the visit was aimed at engaging the academy’s management to generate innovative ideas for advancing the institution and identifying areas requiring intervention by the defence headquarters.

He stressed the need for sustained investment in modern facilities, continuous curriculum review and technological innovation to maintain the NDA’s position as a premier military university in West Africa.

Responding, the Commandant of the NDA, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, appreciated Mr Alhaji and his team for the visit, describing it as timely and encouraging.

Mr Olatoye also commended the CDS and the Defence Headquarters management for their continued support to the academy.

He said the NDA had introduced new training programmes, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operations, Amphibious Warfare, and Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency courses.

The commandant added that the academy had incorporated combat estimates into the cadets’ curriculum in partnership with the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

According to him, the NDA is committed to making cadet training realistic and practical to equip officers with the skills required to effectively manage contemporary military operations.

Mr Olatoye also highlighted efforts to improve infrastructure, including the construction of additional classrooms and accommodation facilities in the cadets’ lines.

Earlier, the Director of Military Training, Brig.-Gen. A.M. Tukur, presented an overview of the academy’s military training activities.

The Senior Deputy Registrar (Establishment and Training), Friday Benji Bakare also briefed the visiting team on the academy’s academic activities.

(NAN)