AFCSC Inaugurates Senior Course 48 and Junior Course 101

AFCSC Inaugurates Senior Course 48 and Junior Course 101

The Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Nigeria, formally inaugurated students of Senior Course 48 and Junior Course 101 in a joint ceremony held at the AVM AO Ogundana Officers’ Mess, Jaji.

The inauguration marked the official commencement of the College’s academic training cycle for both courses and was attended by senior officers, directing staff, and members of the College community, on Monday, 26 January 2026.

The Special Guest of Honour and Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Air Vice Marshal Alfred Olugbenga Shogbanmu, arrived at the venue and officially declared the ceremony open.

In his inaugural address, AVM Shogbanmu welcomed students of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and allied nations, describing their admission into the College as both a privilege and a call to higher responsibility. He stated that the courses were designed to enhance professional knowledge, leadership competence, and strategic thinking in response to the evolving global security environment.

The Commandant explained that students would undergo rigorous academic engagement, practical exercises, and collaborative learning aimed at preparing them for future command and staff responsibilities. He urged the students to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct, stressing the College’s zero-tolerance policy on academic malpractice.

AVM Shogbanmu further emphasised the importance of critical thinking, innovation, and joint cooperation in contemporary military operations. He encouraged students to fully utilise the College’s No-box training environment, which promotes creative problem-solving and unrestricted innovation. He also assured allied students of a conducive and supportive learning environment throughout their stay at the College.

Earlier, the Director of the Department of Joint Studies (DJS), Brigadier General K Rabiu, delivered a briefing on course highlights. He informed the students that a substantial portion of their training would be conducted by the Department of Joint Studies, which is responsible for joint, combined, and multi-agency training within the College.

Brigadier General Rabiu explained that the Department handles approximately 70 per cent of the Senior Course curriculum and 50 per cent of the Junior Course curriculum, particularly during the Tri-Service Terms. He advised students to familiarise themselves with course requirements and prepare adequately for lectures and exercises to maximise learning outcomes.

In line with the College’s training schedule, students of Senior Course 48 and Junior Course 101 had earlier assembled at the College on Wednesday, 14 January 2026.

A total of 441 students Officer’s were taken on strength for Senior Course 48, comprising 201 from the Nigerian Army, 134 from the Nigerian Navy, 88 from the Nigerian Air Force, and 18 international students.

Similarly, 253 students were taken on strength for Junior Course 101, consisting of 100 from Nigerian Army, 50 from Nigerian Navy, 93 from Nigerian Air Force, and 10 international students.

The international students comprised one participant each from Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Eswatini, Zambia, The Gambia, Guinea, and South Africa; two participants each from Zimbabwe, Chad, Tanzania, Rwanda, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Liberia; three participants from Côte d’Ivoire; and four participants from Ghana.

The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies, Rear Admiral AV Kujoh, Directors, Chief Instructors, members of the Directing and Administrative Staff, and other senior officers.