THE CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF CHARGES PASSING-OUT CADETS TO PUT NIGERIA FIRST AND EMBRACE INNOVATION

THE CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF CHARGES PASSING-OUT CADETS TO PUT NIGERIA FIRST AND EMBRACE INNOVATION

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General OO Oluyede, has charged passing-out cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to uphold national interest, demonstrate courage and resilience, and embrace innovation as they commence their careers as military officers.

General Oluyede gave the charge as the Special Guest of Honour at the NDA Regimental Dinner Night held on Thursday, 18 September 2026, in honour of the passing-out cadets of the 73 Regular Course, Short Service Course 49 (Army), Direct Short Service Course 34 (Air Force), and Branch Commission Course 3 (Air Force), held at the NDA Cadets’ Mess, Afaka, Kaduna State.

Reflecting on his own experience at the Academy about 34 years ago, the CDS described the occasion as a significant milestone marking the culmination of rigorous military and academic training that transforms cadets into disciplined, professionally prepared, and service-ready officers. He commended the cadets for their hard work, sacrifice, perseverance, and dedication, urging them to sustain the standards established during their training.

The CDS equally reminded the soon-to-be commissioned officers that the Armed Forces of Nigeria represent the unity and sovereignty of the nation, stressing that “Nigeria comes first and always.” He urged them to uphold courage, diligence, resilience, and loyalty to their fatherland, particularly as many of them would soon be deployed to operational theatres across the country.

The CDS further charged the cadets to remain adaptable and technologically savvy in view of the changing nature of modern warfare. He noted that emerging capabilities, including Artificial Intelligence, unmanned systems, and cyber operations, were increasingly shaping the contemporary security environment, emphasising that innovation and the ability to think outside the box would be critical to their effectiveness as future military leaders.

On leadership, General Oluyede stressed the importance of trust, integrity, dedication, mental agility, and sound judgement. He advised the cadets to seek guidance from experienced officers, think carefully before taking decisions, and ensure that their actions reflect the shared values of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. He further informed the passing-out cadets that their decisions would not only shape their careers but also have consequences on the organisation they represent and the personnel under their command.

The CDS equally acknowledged the Commandant NDA, staff, and instructors for their efforts in preparing the cadets for the responsibilities ahead, while congratulating the graduating cadets on reaching the threshold of commissioning.

He further reminded the cadets that every achievement creates a responsibility for continuous improvement and urged them to remain prepared for the challenges and opportunities that accompany military service.

General Oluyede expressed appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, and the entire NDA Council for their support to the Armed Forces and the Academy. He concluded by urging the soon-to-be officers to embrace the future with confidence, ingenuity, and technological awareness, assuring them that the training received at the NDA had prepared them for the demanding responsibilities ahead.

Highlights of the regimental event were the presentation of awards to deserving cadets during the 2025/2026 training session and the presentation of souvenirs to the Special Guest of Honour by the Commandant of the Academy.

NJOKA IRABOR
Major
Academy Public Relations Officer
Nigerian Defence Academy
19 September 2026