Defence College Commandant Rear Admiral Ahmed Calls for Comprehensive Curriculum Review, Citing Outdated Content and Need for Financial Crimes Training

The Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, today, Monday, November 17, 2025, issued a strong call for a comprehensive review of the college’s curriculum, describing it as outdated and failing to align with contemporary national security and governance realities. The Commandant emphasized the necessity of equipping senior officers and civilian participants with practical skills relevant to modern challenges, particularly in finance and anti-corruption.

Rear Admiral Ahmed made the assertion during a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, a clear signal that financial and economic crimes are expected to become a core component of the revised syllabus.

“In taking over the college, I have discovered that the curriculum has not been reviewed for quite some time, and I feel that it should be reviewed in relation to our current realities,” Ahmed was quoted as saying. “We need some insights on how to manage public funds. We want participants to learn about managing public funds.”

Focus on Governance and Financial Crimes

The Commandant explained that the NDC, Nigeria’s premier strategic training institution, needs to incorporate expertise from agencies like the EFCC to enhance the knowledge base of its participants, ensuring they are prepared for high office. He specifically requested that EFCC experts lecture participants on topics such as fraud detection, asset recovery, and emerging financial crimes, including cryptocurrency fraud.

The EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, welcomed the proposed collaboration, noting the crucial intersection between policy formulation and the fight against financial crimes. He agreed that integrating contemporary financial crime developments into the curriculum is essential for ensuring the NDC’s programmes reflect current threats and strategies.

Both agencies agreed to commence joint efforts immediately to update the NDC curriculum, reflecting a broader push within Nigeria’s security sector to foster inter-agency cooperation and produce leaders capable of making informed, practical decisions in both military and civilian spheres.