NDA HANDBOOK FOR CADETS - Nigerian Defence Academy

LOY ALT YANDVALOURNIGERIAN DEFENCEACADEMYTRAINING PROSPECTUS 2013 - 2014

NIGERIAN DEFENCE ACADEMYHISTORICAL BACKGROUND1. T h e N i g e r i a nDefence Academy (NDA)was established on 5F e b r u a r y 1 9 6 4 i nresponse to the defenceneeds of independentNigeria to train officersNDA Headquarters Complexfor the Armed Forces ofNigeria. Before then,the institution wasknown as the RoyalMilitary Forces TrainingCollege (RMFTC). AfterNew Permanent Site NDA gateindependence in 1960, itbecame known as the Nigerian Military TrainingCollege.2. The role of the Academy is to provide eachofficer cadet with knowledge, skills and valuesnecessary to meet the requirements of a militaryofficer through military, academic and characterdevelopment. In essence, the NDA is an institution1

where selected young able-bodied men and womenare groomed into well educated, courageous, virileand erudite subalterns.Main Gate NDA Old SiteVISION3. The vision of the NDA is to produce officersw i t h b r o a d - b a s e dtraining in both militaryand academic subjectsdesigned to serve as afoundation for the futureprogressive developmentof officers of the NigerianArmed Forces.Colour Party during Cadets’ Passing -Out-ParadeCadets on a March Past during aPassing -Out-ParadeMISSION4. The mission of NDA is to provide each officercadet with the knowledge, skills and valuesnecessary to meet the requirements of a military2

officer through military,academic and characterdevelopment.Cadets Undergoing a Practical Instructionperiod of Weapon TrainingORGANISATIONAL STRUCTUREHEADQUARTERSNIGERIAN DEFENCE ACADEMYCOMMANDANTDEPUTY COMMANDANT/DIRECTOR OF STUDIESACADEMY REGIMENTAL SERGEANTMAJORACADEMY ADJUTANTDIRECTORATE OFMILITARY TRAININGDIRECTORATE OFADMINISTRATIONDIRECTORATE OFCOORDINATIONDIRECTORATE OFINFORMATION ANDCOMMUNICATIONSTECHNOLOGYACADEMICBRANCHCADETS BRIGADEDIRECTORATE OFLOGISTICSDIRECTORATE OFFINANCEACADEMYPROVOSTACADEMYREGISTRARACADEMYLIBRARIAN5. NDA is organised as follows:a. Headquarters NDA. This is theadministrative hub of the NDA. It is headedby the Commandant who is responsible to theNDA Council chaired by the Minister ofDefence. The present Commandant of NDA isMajor General CO Onwuamaegbu. The3

D e p u ty C o m m a n d a n t a s s i s t s t h eCommandant in the implementation ofgeneral policies and training. Air ViceMarshal AA Zannah is the current DeputyCommandant and Director of Studies.The Adjutant, Assistant Adjutant andAcademy RSM are also part of theheadquarters.THE COMMAND TEAMMaj Gen CO OnwuamaegbuCommandant NDAAVM AA ZannahDeputy Commandant NDALt Col MI AbdulkadirAcademy AdjutantSqn Ldr AS AbubakarAssistant AdjutantAWO Bako SaleAcademy Regimental Sergeant Major4

. Directorate of Military Training.The Directorate of MilitaryTr a i n i n g ( D M T ) i sresponsible for thetraining of cadets inmilitary related subjectsa n d e xe rcises. T h eDirectorate is headed by aDirector of the rank ofBrigadier General who isr e s p o n s i b l e t o t h eCommandant. The DMToffers basic joint officerc a d e t s t r a i n i n g t opotential Army, Naval andAir Force officers to fosterearly development of esprit-de-corps among thecadets. The DMT has 5 Training Wings under itssupervision. These include the following:(1) Army Wing. The Army Wingruns 3 t y p e s o fcourses f o r t h eN i g e r i a n A r m y(NA). These are theRegular Combatant(RC), Short ServiceArmy Wing Complex(SS) and the Direct Short Service (DSS)5Directorate of Military TrainingComplexCadets Abseiling from a Hill

Courses. The Army Wing teaches subjectsranging from Field Training to M e t h o d s o fInstruction which are peculiar to the army.Cadets in a Water Manship Training(2) Naval Wing.The Naval Wing runs theRegular and the DirectShort Service Courses forthe Nigerian Navy (NN).During their stay in theA c a d e m y , c a d e t sacquire basic trainingw i t h n a v a l b i a s .Thereafter, they proceeda s m i d s h i p m e n t othe Nigerian NavalCollege in Onne, nearPort- Harcourt, wherethey undergo intensivenaval training after whichCadets during a Practical Instruction Period6Naval Wing ComplexCadets on Board a Naval Shipduring one of the Naval TourCadets receiving Instructionon Board a Naval Ship

they are commissionedsub-lieutenants. Whilein NDA, naval cadetsstudy naval subjectsr a n g i n g f r o mseamanship to navalo p e r a t i o n s , b a s i cengineering, damagecontrol, logistics, navallaw, management andadministration as well asaccount and budgeting.Cadets receiving Instructions ondeck gear onboard NNS ARADUThe Naval Wing Simulation centerTraining on the Bridge TrainerSimulator at the Naval Wing(3) Air Force Wing. The Air Force Wingtrains Air Forcecadets in the Regularand Direct ShortService Courses. Thecadets acquire basicAir Force training7Training at the Electronic Chartroomat the Naval Wing Simulation centerAir Force Wing Complex

w h i l e i n t h eA c a d e m y. T h eRegular Cadets oncompletion of 4y e a r s a t N D A ,proceed to theNigerian Air Force( N A F ) F l y i n gTraining School, inKaduna, for theirp r i m a r yprofessional AirForce training. Atthe end of their fifthyear of cumulativetraining, they arecommissioned pilotofficers.While in NDA, AirForce cadets learnAir Force subjectsranging from airo p e r a t i o n s t oaerodynamics.Cadets Alight from a Private Airline during oneof their tours prior to their passing outAir Force Cadets undergoingTraining in Air ArmamentShort Service WingCadets undergoing Weapon Training8

(4) Short Service Wing. T h e S h o r tService Wing trains Army cadets undergoingthe Short ServiceCourse and Army,Navy and Air Forcecadets undergoing theDirect Short ServiceCourse.Cadets Mounted on Amoured PersonnelCarrier during a Tactical Training Session(5) Training Support Wing. The TrainingSupport W i n g i sresponsible for t h ec o o r d i n a t i o n o fcommon to servicessubjects. These forman important aspect ofPhysical Training a most inthe military training forCadets daily Routinecadets other than theircore Service subjects.The following militarysubjects common tothe 3 Services aretaught at the Academy:Cadets during a Tactical Training Session(a)(b)(c)Weapon Training.Physical Training.Drill.9

(d) Equitation.(e) First Aid.c. Cadets' Brigade. The Cadets' Brigade(CB) is responsible for cadets' administration,character development andwelfare. The Brigade iscommanded by anArmy officer with the establishedrank of brigadier general andCadets' Brigade Office Complexcalled the Cadets BrigadeCommander (CBC). There arefive cadets' battalions under theCB namely:(1) Abyssinia BattalionCadets Mach Past during a(2) Burma BattalionPassing -Out-Parade(3) Dalet Battalion(4) Mogadishu Battalion(5) Ashanti Battalion.A Regimental Dinner Nightat the AcademyA Cadet being presented with a MedalA Convocations Ceremony duringCadets Passing Out10

d. Academic Branch. The AcademicBranch is responsible for the academic training ofcadets and administration of the civilian staff. Thepost graduate school andthe Academy Library arealso under the branch. It isheaded by the AcademyProvost (AP) who is aprofessor. The AP is assistedby the Academy Registrarwho is a brigadier general,the Academy Librarian andDeans of Faculties. TheB r a n c h d i s c h a r g e sfunctions similar to thoseperformed by conventionaluniversities in terms ofteaching, research andcommunity services. Itsacademic programme wasupgraded to a degreeawarding status in 1985with a 5-year courseduration for the RegularCombatant Course. This isA Convocations Ceremony duringCadets Passing OutCadet in a Graduation CeremonyCadets of 64 RC signing their MatriculationOathmade up of 4 years of academic training and oneyear of solely military training. Similarly, the cadetsgo through the same rigorous intellectual trainingas undergraduates in other conventionaluniversities.11

e. Directorate of Coordination. TheDirectorate of Coordination (D-Coord) is headed bya Director with the established rank of acommodore of the Nigerian Navy. He is responsiblefor all matters relating to coordination of allAcademy activities and liaison with outside units,formations and civil organisations.f. The Directorate of Administration. TheDirectorate of Administration (DOA) is headed by aDirector from the Navy with the established rank ofcommodore. He is responsible for all militarypersonnel and administrative functions, activitiesand policy formulation in the Academy.g. Directorate of Information andCommunications Technology. The Directorateof Information and Communications Technology(DICT) is responsible for the efficientadministration and implementation of the NDA ICTpolicies and programmes.The Directorate is headed by aDirector. The office of theDirector is headed by aserving military officer withthe established rank of aircommodore.An Equiped Information and CommunicationTechnology in the Academy12

h. Directorate of Logistics. The Directorateof Logistics (D Log) is responsible for all logisticsmatters in the Academy. The Directorate is headedby a Director with the established rank of aircommodore.i. Directorate of Finance. The Directorateof Finance (DOF) is responsible for the day-to-dayadministration and control of the financial affairs ofthe Academy. The Directorate is headed by anArmy officer with the established rank of a brigadiergeneral.MILITARY TRAINING IN NDA6. The NDA offers 3 types of military training tocadets of the Army, Navy and Air Force, namely;Regular Combatant Course(RC); Short Service Course(SSC) and Direct ShortService Course (DSSC).REGULAR COMBATANTCOURSE (RC)7. This is a 5 year course, comprising 4 years ofacademic program and one year of military trainingculminating in the award of a Bachelor Degree anda presidential commission to the rank of secondlieutenant, or equivalent in the Navy and Air Force.13Cadets in Obstacle Crossing Exercise in the Academy

Until 2011, this course used to be exclusively formales. The first set of female cadets commencedtraining in September 2011.8. Eligibility for Entryinto the NDA RegularCourse. To be eligible foradmission into the regularcourse in the NigerianD e f e n c e A c a d e m y, acandidate must meet the following requirements:a. The admission exercise for RegularCadets commences with the electronic sale ofadmission forms. Therefore, candidates aremade to purchase and fill the forms online,and therefore sit for the Joint AdmissionMatriculation Board (JAMB) Unified TertiaryMatriculation Examination (UTME). It is onlythose who meet the national cut off mark thatare eligible to sit for the NDA EntranceExamination (equivalent of post-UTME). Thisis followed by an electronic marking ofcandidates scripts and shortlistment for theArmed Forces Selection Board (AFSB) which14Cadets Abseiling from a 42 ft Tower duringa Specalise Warfare Training

is usually constituted by the DefenceHeadquarters. The AFSB exercise consists ofcredential screening, physical and medicaltests. Others include aptitude test and oralinterviews, among others. The final selectionof candidates is done by the AFSB, reflectingfederal character.b. Minimum of 5 credit passes with Englishand Mathematics at the Senior SecondaryCertificate Examination conducted by theWest Africa Examination Council or NationalExamination Commission or GeneralCertificate of Education Ordinary Level orGrade II Teachers Certificate obtained in notmore than 2 sittings relevant to the Faculty oftheir choices.c. At least one supporting relevant creditto the compulsory credits in Faculty of Artsand Social Sciences and Faculty of Science.However, only one supporting relevant creditis required in the Faculty of Engineering.d. Be at least 17 years old and not morethan 21 years old at the time of entry into15

the Academy. Nigerian Air Force candidatesmust be between 17 and 18 years old atentry.e. Must not be less than 1.68 metres tallfor male and 1.50 metres for female.f. Must be medically and physically fit andmust be of good moral character.g. Must be single male or female withoutlegal obligation to support any child or otherindividuals.h. Present a certificate of origin obtainedfrom a Local Government. A certificate ofState indigeneship from the Office of theState Governor is desirable.i. In addition to the foregoing, candidatesawaiting results are not qualified and onlyexamination results of not more than 5 yearsbefore the date of application are acceptable.9. Vacancies. NDA has an annual cadets'intake of 175 for the RC. This comprises of 155males and 20 females. Defence Headquaters16

allocates these vacancies out of this number to theArmy, Navy and Air Force. The number of intakescould vary each year depending on the manpowerneeds of the armed forces. There are also vacanciesreserved for cadets from sister African countries.10. Date of Assembly. The Regular CombatantCourse assembles in September each year.However, all nomination processes must beconcluded 3 months before the date ofassembly.ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THEREGULAR COURSE PROGRAMME11. The candidates must meet the followingprerequisites before they can be admitted into anyfaculty/department for the degree programme.17

a. FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIALSCIENCESCourse GeneralRequirementCompulsoryCredits(a) (b) (c) (d)5 credit passes in Englishnot more than 2 Language,sittings including Economics andEnglish Language Mathematicsand MathematicsBScEconomicsBScAccountingBScGeography5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand Mathematics5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand MathematicsEnglishLanguage,Accounting andMathematicsEnglishLanguage,Geography andMathematicsRelevantCreditsAccounts,Commerce,Government,Geography,History, Frenchand ArabicAccounts,Commerce,Government,Geography,History, Frenchand ArabicHistory,Economics,Government,Accounts,Commerce,French andArabic18

BA History andInternationalStudiesBA FrenchBA ArabicBSc PoliticalScience andDefenceStudiesBScPsychology5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand Mathematics5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand Mathematics5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand Mathematics5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand Mathematics5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand MathematicsEnglishLanguage,History andMathematicsEnglishLanguage,French andMathematicsEnglishLanguage,Arabic andMathematicsEnglishLanguage,Government andMathematicsEnglishLanguage,Biology andMathematicsEconomics,Geography,Government,French andAccount andCommerceEconomics,Geography,Government,French, ArabicCommerce andAccountsHistory,Economics,French,Geography,Accounts andCommerceHistory,Economics,French,Geography,Accounts andCommerceEconomic,Health Science,Government andAgric Science19

.FACULTY OF ENGINEERINGCOURSE GENERAL COMPULSORY RELEVANTREQUIREMENT CREDITS CREDITSBEngr CivilBEngrElectrical andElectronicsBEngrMechanical5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand Mathematics5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand Mathematics5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand MathematicsEnglishLanguage,Mathematics,Physics andChemistryEnglishLanguage,Mathematics,Chemistry andPhysicsEnglishLanguage,Mathematics,Chemistry andPhysicsc. FACULTY OF SCIENCETechnicalDrawing,FurtherMathematics,Biology andGeographyTechnicalDrawing,FurtherMathematics,Biology andGeographyTechnicalDrawing,FurtherMathematics,Biology andGeographyBScBiologicalSciencesBScChemistry5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand Mathematics5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand MathematicsEnglishLanguage,Mathematics,Biology andChemistryEnglishLanguage,Mathematics,Chemistry andBiologyPhysics, AgricScience,Geography andHealth SciencePhysics, HealthScience, AgricScience andGeography20

BScMathematicsBScComputerScienceBSc Physics5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand Mathematics5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand Mathematics5 credit passes innot more than 2sittings includingEnglish Languageand MathematicsEnglishLanguage,Mathematics andPhysicsEnglishLanguage,Mathematics andPhysicsEnglishLanguage,Mathematics andPhysicsChemistry,Additional/FurtherMathematics,Biology andGeographyChemistry,Additional/FurtherMathematics,Biology andGeographyChemistry,Biology,TechnicalDrawing andGeographyTHE SHORT SERVICE COURSE (SSC).12. The Short Service Course is a 9 monthintensive military training exclusively targeted atbeefing up the officer requirement of the NigerianArmy from time to time.Those so trained could bedeployed to the combatas well as non combatarms of the Army. Otherarms of the ArmedForces, presently do notCadets Jumping a 9 ft ditch duringan Obstacle Crossing21

subscribe to this course. Some sister Africancountries utilise the programme to fill gaps in theircombatant officer requirement.13. Entry Qualification for the SSC. Entryqualifications for the SSC are as follows:(a) Be a Nigerian as defined in theconstitution of the Federal Republic ofNigeria.(b) Be a male or female between the age of24 and 29 years.(c) Possess at least a first degree of notless than Second Class Lower Division orHND of not less than Lower Credit in thearts, sciences or humanities from anyrecognized University or Polytechnic as thecase may be.(d) Measure at least 1.68m in height.(e) Be medically and physically fit.(f) Applicants (less serving members ofthe Armed Forces) must possess the NYSCdischarge certificate or a valid exemption asthe case may be.(g) Possess valid birth certificate endorsedby the National Population Commission,22

hospital or local government council of birth orvalid age declaration.(h) Possess a valid certificate of state oforigin.(i) Must not have been convicted by anycompetent court of law.(j) Be recommended by at least 2recognizable referees who must attest to theapplicant's character and integrity. Servingmilitary personnel must be recommended bytheir commanding officers.14. Vacancies. The Short Service Coursehas an intake of about 100 cadets annually. Thismay however be subject to review from time to timeby the Army Headquarters. Vacancies are alsoreserved for cadets of sister African countries.15. Assembling Date for Short ServiceCourse. The Short Service Course assembles inJuly/August of every year.D I R E C T S H O R T S E R V I C E C O U R S E(DSSC).16. The DSSC is a 9 month intensive militarytraining for professionals drawn from variousdisciplines to serve as officers in the non23

combat services of the Army, Navy and the AirForce.17. Entry Qualification for the DSSC. Theentry qualifications for the DSSC are as follows:(a) Be a Nigerian as defined in theConstitution of the Federal Republic ofNigeria.(b) Be male or female between the ages of22 to 35 years for both serving personnel andcivilians.(c) Be medically and physically fit.(d) Measure not less than 1.68m (for male)and 1.65m (for female) in height.(e) Must not have been convicted by anycourt of law.(f) Possess a minimum of first degree ofnot less than Second Class Lower Divisionfrom a recognized University or HND from arecognized Polytechnic of not less than LowerCredit.(g) Applicants (less serving members ofthe Armed Forces) must have completed theNYSC Scheme or provide proof of exemptionas the case may be.(h) G r a d u a t e s w i t h p r o f e s s i o n a lqualifications must be duly registered by24

elevant bodies recognized by Nigerian Lawsat the commencement of cadet training.(i) Possess valid birth certificate endorsedby the National Population Commission,Hospital or Local Government Council of birthor valid age declaration.(j) Possess a valid certificate of state oforigin.(k) Recommended by at least tworecognizable referees who must attest to theapplicant's character and integrity. Servingmilitary personnel must be recommended bytheir commanders.18. Vacancies. The Direct Short ServiceCourse has an annual intake of about 100 cadetsper Service, totaling 300 cadets for a course. Thereis provision to increase the number whenever thereis a need.19. Assembly Date. The DSSC normallyassembles in July/August of every year.ACADEMIC TRAINING20. The Academic branch is responsible forrunning the academic degree program of the25

Regular Combatant Course of the NDA. It also runspost graduate programmes for both military andcivilian candidates. On completion of the academicprogramme, cadets who are found worthy incharacter and learning are awarded Bachelor'sdegrees in the following disciplines.(a) Physics(b) Chemistry(c) Mathematics(d) Computer Science(e) Economics(f) Accounting(g) Geography(h) History & International Studies(i) French(j) Arabic(k) Biological Sciences(l) Political Science and Defence Studies(m) Civil Engineering(n) Mechanical Engineering(o) Electrical/Electronic EngineeringACHIEVEMENTS21. Quite a number of humble strides have beenmade by our noble and prestigious academy. Someof our modest achievements are cataloged26

as follows:(a) In order to align its operations withglobal best practices and highest militarytradition, NDA joined other tertiaryinstitutions (universities) by conducting thefirst ever matriculation years after theinception of the degree programme. Thecadets of 64 Regular Course took thematriculation oath to mark their formaladmission into various degree programmes ofthe NDA on Wednesday 12 June 2013.(b) A total of 18,339 officers have so fargraduated from the academy, including 470from the following 10 sister Africancountries: Benin, Chad, Guinea, The Gambia,Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, Uganda,Zimbabwe and Central African Republic.Currently, Republic of Liberia, Benin, Togoand Central African Republic have 8, 2, 4, and9 officer cadets respectively undergoingregular cadets training in the academy.(c) Since inception of the degreeprogramme in 1985, the Academy hasproduced 3,876 graduate officers in various27

disciplines. NDA now boasts of aPostgraduate School that consists of 3Faculties with 14 degree awardingDepartments.(d) Another area of achievement is theestablishment of Information andCommunication Technology (ICT) Centre thatfacilitates research and effective instruction.Currently, the academy free to air wirelessinternet service runs for 24 hours daily inevery part of the institution.(e) NDA has the only ultra modern navalsimulation trainer in the sub region.PROSPECTS22. NDA plays an important role in the nationallife of Nigeria and its goals and aspirations havecontinued to blossom. The academy hassuccessfully moved to its permanent site wherework is on going to complete the rest of Phases 1and 2 projects. When the construction is complete,it will mark a milestone in the history of NDA inparticular and Nigeria in general. By 2014, NDA will28

celebrate its Golden Jubilee anniversary, marking50 years of its establishment. This event willsymbolise the attainment of a prestigious statussuch as those attained by academies like RoyalMilitary Academy, Sandhurst, UK, West Point USAand National Defence Academy, India that have notonly celebrated such milestones but haveprogressed tremendously.29