A distinguished Chevening Scholar and one of the Nigerian Navy’s most accomplished officers, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, has been appointed as the 22nd Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria’s top military training institution.
Rear Admiral Ahmed succeeds Rear Admiral James Ohimai Okosun at the prestigious institution, which is responsible for training senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria as well as participants from allied nations in strategic leadership and national security management.
The appointment underscores the military’s confidence in Rear Admiral Ahmed’s professionalism, leadership qualities, and extensive experience gathered over three decades of meritorious service to the Nigerian Navy and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Before assuming his new position, Rear Admiral Ahmed served as the 7th Commandant of the Naval War College, Nigeria, where he supervised major strategic courses and presided over the graduation of Command Level Officers’ Course 7. He has also occupied notable positions such as Deputy Chief of Defence Space Administration and Director of Recruitment, Resettlement, and Reserve at the Naval Headquarters.
During his distinguished career, Rear Admiral Ahmed has held numerous command and instructional roles, including Director of Plans at the Naval Headquarters, Chief Staff Officer at the Naval Training Command, Commander of Naval Base PATHFINDER, and Commander of Naval Unit Abuja.
He has also served as a Directing Staff at the National Defence College, the Air Force War College, and the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, where he played a significant role in guiding mid- and senior-level officers in defence policy, strategic planning, and inter-agency collaboration.
Rear Admiral Ahmed’s academic background is equally exceptional. He graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences in 1993. He earned a Master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Ghana, Legon, in 2011, and another in International Security Studies from the University of Leicester, United Kingdom, in 2014. In that same year, he completed the International Cyber Policy Programme at Cranfield University, United Kingdom.
His professional distinctions include the Grand Service Star (GSS), Pass Staff College Dagger (psc+), and the status of Distinguished Fellow from the Air Force War College (afwc+), National Defence College (fdc+), and Naval War College (defnc). He has also received the Chief of Naval Staff Commendation and is recognised as a Chevening Scholar, one of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious global leadership fellowships.
Admired for his intellect, modesty, and composed leadership approach, Rear Admiral Ahmed is held in high regard across the military for his dedication to academic excellence, discipline, and professional integrity. He is married with children, and his hobbies include reading and long-range hunting.