The National Defence College (NDC) has honoured the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, with the Distinguished Alumnus Star Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to strategic military leadership, professional military education, and national security.
The award was presented to Lt Gen Shaibu on Friday during the graduation ceremony of National Defence College Course 34 held in Abuja.
The Nigerian Army announced the honour in an official statement, noting that the Distinguished Alumnus Star Award acknowledges the Army Chief’s significant contributions to strategic military education and leadership, as well as his efforts towards building a professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient Nigerian Army.
Lt Gen Shaibu has a long-standing association with the National Defence College. He previously served as a Directing Staff and later as Director of Coordination at the institution. In these capacities, he played a key role in developing strategic thinking and leadership skills among senior military officers and other national security practitioners.
The graduation ceremony was attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside other senior military and government officials. The occasion reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to developing strategic leaders and strengthening professionalism within Nigeria’s defence and security architecture.
The National Defence College continues to fulfil its mandate of providing strategic-level training to senior officers of the Armed Forces and other national security practitioners, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to address complex security challenges.
The award underscores the College’s recognition of excellence and the enduring impact of its alumni in advancing Nigeria’s national security interests.