Another Nigerian Triumphs Abroad: Naval Officer Emerges Best At SA Defence Programme

According to Ireporter Online, a Nigerian Navy officer, Captain A. O. Akano, has emerged as the overall best graduating participant in the Security and Defence Studies Programme 11/25 at the South African National Defence College. Akano clinched the top honour after outperforming officers drawn from various African nations and other regions.

The institution, in an official statement shared on its Facebook page, described the programme as one of its senior strategic leadership courses aimed at equipping participants with advanced competencies in defence policy, security management, and international cooperation.

Akano becomes only the second non-South African to achieve this distinction since the programme’s inception. The first recipient of the award was also a Nigerian Navy officer, Captain Obute, who earned the recognition in 2022.

Security analysts note that the consistent achievements of Nigerian naval officers on international platforms underscore the military’s strengthened commitment to professional development and strategic training. The Nigerian Navy has, in recent years, expanded its involvement in specialised global courses to boost its operational and leadership capacity.

Captain Akano is expected to return to Nigeria upon the conclusion of the programme, joining the growing list of officers who have brought international acclaim to the country’s armed forces.