By Bavoriat Clara
The National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria, has successfully conducted the 3rd edition of its flagship Strategic National Security Exercise (STRANEX 2025), drawing together participants from NDC Course 33 and various Services War Colleges across the country.
Held in Abuja, the high-level war-gaming exercise was designed to enhance strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills among senior military officers and top defence stakeholders. The event also featured representatives from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as international participants, reflecting strong inter-agency collaboration and global partnership.
The Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral James Okonson, in his remarks emphasized the importance of the exercise in preparing defence officials for real-world strategic challenges. He expressed profound gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, whose unwavering support, he said, ensured the successful execution of STRANEX 2025 despite numerous constraints.
“STRANEX is a critical component of our curriculum, integrating participants into simulated scenarios that mirror real-time crisis situations at the national, operational, and tactical levels,” Rear Admiral Okonson explained. “It is a testament to our commitment to building strategic leadership capacity across the armed forces.”
Also speaking at the event, the Director, Arms Military Organization and Operations, Brigadier General Oluwagbenga Ojo, described the exercise as a multi-dimensional problem-solving platform. He noted that it exposes participants to top-tier defence decision-making, covering strategic planning, policy formulation, response analysis, and national security estimate development.
Delivering the remarks of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shettima, commended the NDC and Services War Colleges for sustaining such an impactful initiative. He stressed the importance of joint training and inter-service collaboration in confronting Nigeria’s dynamic security environment.
“This exercise not only strengthens synergy among our military institutions but also fosters a spirit of unity among key national stakeholders in defence and security,” Rear Admiral Shettima noted.
General Musa, through his representative, reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to developing a more cohesive, adaptive, and resilient defence architecture. He emphasized that such strategic exercises are vital for institutional growth, operational readiness, and national security.
The Strategic National Security Exercise 2025 is widely regarded as a milestone in Nigeria’s quest to build a future-ready military leadership cadre and strengthen its capacity to respond effectively to complex national and regional security challenges.
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