Department Of Military Science

PROFESSOR Francisca Nonyelum Ogwueleka

Head of Department, Military Science

The circumstances surrounding military operations, particularly with the increased terrorist activities and ethnoreligious conflicts, have now become complex, thus necessitating the need to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to military studies in military institutions. The Nigerian Defence Academy at present has very strong and robust programmes for cadets in various disciplines, which is approved and accredited by the National University Commission. However, there seems to be a limited focus on military technology and science.    

The Military Science programme in Nigerian Defence Academy offers cadets a balance of academic and military education which upon graduation will give them the technical and leadership skills, and the opportunity to become well-groomed professionally commissioned officers in their chosen branch of service (Army, Navy and Airforce). The aim of the programme is to provide the cadets with the crux of knowledge in basic military Science and Technology and afford them the skills and capacities necessary for the development of analytical thinking and innovation in order to carry out missions pertinent in designing and responding to military situations. The cadets of the programme study military processes and operations along with the theory and application of organized coercive force. It focuses mainly on the theory, method, technology and practice of producing military capability in a manner consistent with National Defence Policy.

This programme will address the tactical and operational needs of the Armed Forces necessary to sustain relative advantage in order to enhance the capacity of the officer cadets through science and technology.

The Department of Military Science is one of the four (4) departments in the Faculty of Military Science and Interdisciplinary Studies.  It was established in 2016 but took off in 2019. The Department will be awarding a Bachelor of Science degree in Military Science for the undergraduate program, starting with the 73 Regular Combatant Course. With its rich content curriculum, the courses in the department focus on knowledge and applications in Computer Science, Cyber Security, Communication Technology, Science, Engineering, Information Technology, and Social Science courses. 

To provide officer cadets with knowledge of science and technology applications to meet the requirements of military officer through intelligence critical thinking, military and academic development.

To provide officer cadets with military science and technology skills as foundation for the future progressive development of officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces

The philosophy of the programme is to produce officers with appropriate military knowledge and skills using a multidisciplinary approach in science and technology to enable them provide adequate defence and security to the nation.

The objectives are to develop officer cadets who will:

1. perform professional duties and other related tasks of military operations effectively and efficiently;

2. plan, design, and implement innovative military programs and services using modern scientific ideas and methods;

3. develop, evaluate and analyze different situations and make rational decisions;

4. Be well equipped with adequate technologies to enable them to meet the demands and aspirations of the Nigerian military at both local and international levels.

The criteria for admission into the Department of Military Science are:

1. All candidates must have five credit passes in not more than two sittings (SSCE or NECO) in English language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and any other relevant subjects (Biology, Geography, Technical Drawing, Computer Science, and Further Mathematics).

2. Candidates must have passed the Joint Matriculation Examinations at a cut of points to be determined by the Academy as may be appropriate but not below 180 points.

3. All candidates must be physically fit, mentally stable and morally upright and must fall within 16-21 years.

4. All successful candidates after NDA Entrance Examination must appear before Armed Forces Selection Board for medical and physical test.

This program includes the following areas: 

Security and Protection of National Critical Infrastructure, Cyberspace and Implementation Strategies: The program provides an understanding of the principles behind the security and protection of Nigeria’s critical infrastructure in line with developed countries; security of the cyberspace, the theory, and practice behind technology risks, countermeasures and the role that security management plays in the wider picture of forensics analysis and policing. These courses will introduce cadets to the methodology of investigation, the threat environment (cyberspace), the online tools used by analysts, and their application in real-world examples. Cadets will be introduced to the key concepts, tools, and terminologies used by military professionals in the field, and apply what they learned in practical exercises of real-world events. Learning these tools will help cadets gain a better understanding of how investigations may be more successful in a constitutionally ethical process. Cadets will understand the necessity of cyber-disruption planning with a goal of redundancy and resiliency.

Military Intelligence, Challenges, and Solutions: Covers a wide range of issues related to surveillance, signal, and geospatial intelligence, military equipment technology, and maintenance, military intelligence in international and national contexts, including intelligence analysis, techniques, and organized crime. It explores the issues that constitute actual and potential threats to national security, the disciplines of intelligence in a national security environment, the role of intelligence and military policymakers in responding to these threats.                                                                                                                                                        Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Countermeasures using suitable tools and technologies: The program addresses the understanding of terrorism and counterterrorism in international and national contexts. It considers the national development, implementation of strategies and tactics to counterterrorism, drawing on recent case studies and the funding of terrorism.

Information Warfare; Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Warfare Agents; Cyber Electronic Operations Warfare and Countermeasures: The program discusses warfare in international and national contexts using suitable tools and technologies.

Introduction to Aerodynamical Science, Nautical Science, Aeronautical Science, and Robotics and Mechatronics: Cadets are introduced to theoretical and practical aspects of these science and technology aspects of the military capability along with maintenance.    

The most common use of a military science degree is to acquire a leadership position in the military. Officers in all the services, the Army, the Navy, or the Air Force, require the skills and knowledge provided by a military science program.

At the conclusion of the Military Science study, cadets would among others, have a firm understanding of the following: 

1. Leadership Attributes, Skills, and Actions

2. Army Values, Professional Ethics, Warrior Ethos, and Ethical Decision Making

3. Military Law

4. Tactical Operations

5. Personal Development Character, Intellectual Capacity, Adaptability, Physical Fitness

6. Officership Military History, Military Heritage, Army Management and Administration, Customs and Courtesies.

The Department is headed by the Head of Department (HOD) Professor Francisca Nonyelum Ogwueleka, who assigns duty and responsibilities to staff. The Departmental activities are guided by the regulations approved by the Academy Council and Management and supervised by the Dean of the Faculty. The department uses a committee system with the departmental board as its highest decision-making body after the committees. The HOD chairs all the meetings of the Departmental Board while the Secretary who is appointed from the members of academic staff takes the minutes, prepares, and circulates them in readiness for the next meeting. She is assisted by the Departmental Secretary. The department staff is involved in any decision concerning issues affecting the department through participation at departmental meetings where these issues are deliberated on and suggestions made. The meeting considers and approves course allocations to academic staff, examination schedule and procedures, examination results, research areas, and other matters concerning the department. Some of the departmental committees are the strategic planning committee, examination committee, research committee, staff appraisal committee, curriculum review committee, welfare committee, etc

The program structure for Military Science from 100 level to 400 level is as follows:

100 Level, Cadets are expected to take relevant courses in basic Sciences and General Studies, which will serve as the foundation upon which the courses at subsequent levels are to be based. In addition, introductory courses in Computer Science, Intelligence, Security, Logistics, Military Psychology, Military History, Military Science and Leadership Development, and Elements of Civic Education are included.

200 Level, Cadets of this level take Intelligence and Security, Supply Chain Management, Computer Science, Military Science and Technology, Military Geography, Material Science and Explosives, Command Control Systems and Operations, Psychological Operations, and Information Warfare courses as well as courses in General Studies.

300 Level, Detailed and specific courses in Military Science and Communication Technology are taken by the cadets of this level with more practical in different military branches of science. In both the first and second semesters, the cadets undertake Industrial Work Experience Scheme (CIWES).

400 Level, At this level, the cadets take more detailed and specific courses in Military Science. Seminars on current trends in military science with research projects are taken at this level. The cadets are passed through oral defence examination by the Departmental examiners and external examiner. At this stage, Cadets should have written and passed a leadership course taken under the Leadership Lab work.