The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General A.K. Ibrahim (OFR), has reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the French Military Academy, École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr (ESM), particularly in the areas of military education, leadership development, and language exchange.
According to Academy Public Relations Officer Major Mohammed Maidawa, he made the remark on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, during the official visit of the Commandant of the ESM, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Charpy, to the NDA Headquarters, Afaka, Kaduna.
The high-level visit, which included the French Defence Attaché, Colonel Stéphane Uséo, and senior officers Colonel Bertrand Peytavin and Lieutenant Colonel Raphaël Chauvancy, aimed at strengthening existing ties and identifying new opportunities for cooperation between both institutions.
In his address, Major General Ibrahim commended the long-standing relationship between the NDA and the ESM, noting that both academies share the common goal of producing disciplined, skilled, and visionary military leaders. “The NDA places a high premium on international cooperation, as it broadens the perspective of our cadets and officers in leadership and operational excellence,” he stated.
He emphasized the importance of French language proficiency among Nigerian military personnel, given Nigeria’s proximity to Francophone countries and the need for effective communication during joint operations.
Tracing the NDA’s six-decade history, the Commandant noted that the Academy has trained over 20,000 officers, including about 500 from allied African and foreign countries, with cadets from 14 nations currently undergoing training.
Earlier, Lieutenant General Charpy commended the NDA’s robust training framework and academic standards, describing the visit as an opportunity to exchange ideas and strengthen cooperation in cadet training, leadership, and language programmes. “The ESM and the NDA share a similar mission to build leaders of character and competence. This visit marks another step in consolidating the bridge of cooperation between our institutions,” he said.
The Director of Military Training (DMT), Brigadier General T. Ahmed, briefed the visiting delegation on the Academy’s evolving curriculum, designed to produce disciplined, intellectually sound, and combat-ready officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces.
As part of the visit, the French delegation toured the French Language Laboratory, the NDA Hall of Fame, and observed cadet training sessions, including drills by fifth-term cadets and obstacle-crossing exercises by fourth-term cadets—demonstrating the Academy’s emphasis on fitness, endurance, and teamwork.
The day’s activities concluded with a Gala Night held in honour of the visiting delegation. The event, attended by senior military and civilian staff, featured performances by cultural troupes representing the Igbo, Tiv, and Kanuri ethnic groups, as well as the NDA Dance Band.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Deputy Commandant of the NDA, Air Vice Marshal A. Abdulkadir, expressed gratitude to the visiting French Commandant and his team for their engagement and extended appreciation to Major General Ibrahim for his support and leadership. He assured that the NDA would take full advantage of the invitation to visit the French Military Academy to further strengthen mutual learning and collaboration.
Other highlights of the visit included the inspection of the Quarter Guard, signing of the NDA Visitors’ Book, exchange of souvenirs, and a group photograph.
