By Abdul Lauya
Rear Admiral James Ohimai Okosun has officially taken over as the 21st Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria, in a ceremony marking a significant leadership transition at the country’s premier strategic military training institution. He succeeds Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Morakinyo Olotu, who completed a successful tenure.
The National Defence College stands as Nigeria’s apex institution for strategic military education and policy formulation. It plays a pivotal role in developing senior military officers and top-level security personnel for higher responsibilities in national, regional, and global defence matters.
Rear Admiral Okosun, a seasoned naval engineer and accomplished strategist, brings a wealth of experience to the position. His military journey began at the Air Force Military School, Jos, followed by admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 40th Regular Course, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Over his distinguished career, he has held numerous operational, technical, and strategic positions within the Nigerian Navy, including as Marine Engineering Officer on naval warships, Command Technical Officer at the Western Naval Command, and Commandant of the Nigerian Navy Institute of Technology, Sapele.
He has also served as Director of Marine Engineering at Naval Headquarters and Director of Project Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation, roles that reflect his capacity for both leadership and innovation in defence logistics and infrastructure.
Okosun’s professional development includes stints at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and the prestigious Nasser Higher Military Academy in Cairo, Egypt. He holds a Master’s degree in Project Management and is a Fellow of the Defence College as well as the Naval War College.
His assumption of command is expected to deepen the strategic impact of the NDC in national defence policy, particularly in a time when global security dynamics demand agile, intellectual military leadership.
Captain Muhammad Tukur Muhammad, Public Relations Officer of the College, confirmed the handover in an official statement on Monday.
