Department of Defence and Security Studies

ISAAC OZOEMENAM MBACHU, PhD, MA, PGD, BA,mni. 

Email: profmbachu@nda.edu.ng

Professor, Department of Defence and Security Studies,

Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna 

      Departments 

• • Defence and Security Studies
  • Geography
  • History and War Studies
  • Languages
  • Political Science
  • Psychology

The Department of Defence and Security Studies (DSS) is built on a niche that blends “Defence Studies” and “Security Studies”. Our staff and students are committed to studying, researching and understanding the foundations of political and defence institutions, structures, processes and actors. 

The Department does not deviate from its core foundation in Political Science, but adopts interdisciplinary methodology which borrows from a wide range of disciplines in the Social Science and Humanities. A sound knowledge of Politics is essential to understanding and appreciating how societies are organised, as well as the relationship between leadership and citizenship. It is also vital in understanding the architecture and dynamics of nation-states, governmental and intergovernmental institutions, non-governmental organisations and corporate entities. A study of Politics is not only about the behaviour and choices of states and governing elites; it is also about the role and functions of non-state actors: citizens, NGOs and corporate organisations. Political Science focuses on political theory; comparative politics; political economy; political behaviour, international relations, regional/area studies, organisational studies, citizenship studies, peace and conflict studies among others.

On the other hand, Defence and Security Studies is the study of how nation-states manage the means of coercion at their disposal to pursue their national and allied interests. Defence Studies is concerned with the study of military institution-building, war and warfare, defence policy, national and international security, military strategy in war and peacetime, alliances and alliance-building, and conflict management (especially peace keeping, peace-building, and peace-making), among others. The key elements of Defence Studies are security studies (national/international security, human security, security administration etc.), defence studies, and strategic studies.

Therefore, a sound knowledge of Defence and Security Studies is useful in understanding the micro- and macro-dynamics of war and peace, as well as the imperatives of national/international security and strategy. It is essential in building a pool of experts with a sound knowledge and skills of defence administration, policy formulations and implementation, national security and strategic thinking.

“…Defence Studies is the study of how nation-states manage the means of coercion at their disposal to pursue their national and allied interests…the study of military institution-building, war and warfare, defence policy, national and international security, military strategy in war and peacetime, alliances and alliance-building, and conflict management…”

The products of Defence and Security Studies will be sufficiently equipped to answer both national and international calls. Our students are given sound exposure to theoretical and empirical issues, as well as the imperative of leadership and character development. Our students will be qualified as graduates with a sound knowledge of local and global issues, and creative skills of managing scarce human and material resources. The Department seeks to fulfil NDA’s core mission of “providing each student with the knowledge, capacity, skills and values in the field of defence and security.

A systematic study of Defence and Security provides: A firm foundation for all-round knowledge of national and global structures and institutions; enhances one’s understanding of social and political problems at various levels of society; stimulates the creative capacities for problem-solving and creative imagination; offers a solid basis for independent and critical thinking; and creates the imperatives for character development and leadership/citizenship training.

To be a centre of excellence in Defence and Security Studies by creating a safe environment where Cadets, students and visitors will experience the best of active research and transfer of knowledge.

1. To develop students’ understanding of the concepts and issues that underpin the key sub-disciplines of Defence and Strategic Studies including, but not limited to, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Defence/Security/Strategic Studies, Political Theory, Political Economy, Development Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Research Methodology, and Science, Technology and DefenceTo stimulate students’ grasp of theoretical and practical issues in Defence and Security Studies 
2. To develop students’ understanding of social and political problems at various levels of society – national, regional and global
3. To enhance students’ capacities in critical thinking, leadership and balanced and evidence-based analysis of defence issues 
4. To equip and enhance students’ skills and capacities in solving problems by developing creative solutions to social and political problems in both global and local contexts.

The Department is headed by the Head of Department(HOD) who oversees the routine management of the Department. He/she is the line manager for all academic and non-academic staff within the Department. He/she ensures teaching quality, staff/student discipline and punctuality, smooth conduct of examination and other academic functions, and represents the Department at Academy level functions. He/she also leads curriculum development and reviews at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The HOD delegates some functions to members of academic staff: registration, coordination of programmes, examination, research etc. Members of the academic staff are members of the department board and discharge individual duties such as teaching, conduct of examination, registration, and counseling. 

Academic staff in the department are assigned responsibilities by the Head of Department each Academic Session, and on ad hoc basis. These responsibilities cover those of the Department, Faculty and the Academy. In the department, decisions are made and implemented by the Departmental Board. Some of the responsibilities include the following: Examination, Curriculum, Welfare, Mentoring and Students matters. Additional responsibilities are given as the need arises.

Programme Directors are members of academic staff appointed by the HOD to coordinate specific academic programmes, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. There are Committees responsible for specific functions such as Curriculum, Publications, Mentorship and Examination. Both the Programme Directors and Committees report to the HOD and/or Departmental Board.

The Departmental Secretariat is manned by full time non-academic staff who carry out routine clerical and secretariat functions, including the processing and filing of correspondence, minute-taking in Departmental meetings, processing of examination question papers and results, processing and distribution of time-table and general secretariat duties.

Undergraduate Programme

1. Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) 

Defence and Security Studies 

This is a four-year programme fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). The programme is in conformity with the NUC Benchmark and Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) for Defence and Security Studies 

This programme has been drawn to meet the requirement of the NUC’s approved Minimum Academic Standards, and the National Policy on Education.  It has also been designed to:

1. Provide training in the principles of defence and security studies and their application to the type of degree programme concerned – defence, security, conflict resolution and peace studies.
2. Inspire the students intellectually through the programme in such a way that they appreciate the various facets of defence and security problems.
3. Deliver a solid foundation of knowledge about the working of national defence and security and its institutions and develop the competences for the positive use of such knowledge.
4. Develop in students the capacity to apply the knowledge to the resolution of societal problems and conflicts.
5. Develop in students the skills and competence that would allow them to be self-reliant and dynamic players in the scheme of things.
6. Provide the students with necessary skills for studying and defence and security matters.
7. Provide the students with the skill-base from which they can proceed to higher studies in defence, peace and security studies.
8. Imbue the students with a deep appreciation of the dynamics of national defence and security and the effect of this on wider socio-economic development and societal well-being.

The entry requirement in Defence and Security Studies are (1) Acceptable minimum score in JAMB and (b) at least a minimum of five credit passes in not more than two sittings, at the SSCE or its equivalent, which must include Mathematics, English Language, Government or History. The minimum duration of the course is four years.

Post Graduate Programmes

1. Master in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (MCRP)
2. Master in Leadership and Defence Studies (MLDS)
3. Postgraduate Diploma in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding (PDCRPB)
4. Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Defence Studies (PDLDS)

The Department is supported by a team of highly professional and committed academic and non-academic staff who are well trained and motivated. The Academic staff have many years of working experience and most of them are at the forefront of research in their fields of specialisation.

1. Usman A. Tar, Bashir Bala and Samuel Baba Ayegba (Eds) (2021). Building a Professional Army for National Defence and Security: Perspectives on the Nigerian Army Strategy and Operations – Volume I. Kaduna: NDA.
2. Usman A. Tar, Bashir Bala and Samuel Baba Ayegba (Eds) (2021). Building a Professional Army for National Defence and Security: Perspectives on the Nigerian Army Strategy and Operations – Volume II. Kaduna: NDA.
3. Usman A. Tar, Sharkdam Wapmuk, Bashir Bala and Samuel Baba Ayegba (Eds) (2021). Perspectives on Nigeria’s Defence, Security and Development: National Strategies and the Way Forward – Volume I. Kaduna: NDA. 
4. Usman A. Tar, Sharkdam Wapmuk, Bashir Bala and Samuel Baba Ayegba, (Eds) (2021). Perspectives on Nigeria’s Defence, Security and Development: National Strategies and the Way Forward – Volume II.  Kaduna: NDA.
5. Usman A. Tar, Joseph A. Oluwadare, Bashir Bala and Samuel Baba Ayegba (Eds) (2021). Anchorage of National Defence and Security: Perspectives on the Nigerian Navy Strategy and operation – Volume I.  Kaduna: NDA.
6. Usman A. Tar, Joseph A. Oluwadare, Bashir Bala and Samuel Baba Ayegba (Eds) (2021). Anchorage of National Defence and Security: Perspectives on the Nigerian Navy Strategy and operation – Volume II. Kaduna: NDA.
7. Usman A. Tar, Samuel Baba Ayegba, Bashir Bala (Eds) (2021). Air Power, National Defence and Security: Perspectives on the Nigerian Air Force Strategy and Operations – Volume I. Kaduna: NDA.
8. Usman A. Tar, Samuel Baba Ayegba, Bashir Bala (Eds) (2021). Air Power, National Defence and Security: Perspectives on the Nigerian Air Force Strategy and Operations – Volume II. Kaduna: NDA.

Seminars

The Department organizes seminars occasionally. The following are the latest Seminars held: