CERTIFICATE COURSES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE AND SECURITY STUDIES

The Department of Defence and Security Studies of the African Centre for Strategic Research and Studies (ACSRS), National Defence College Nigeria, has been tasked to conduct a Certificate Course in Defence and Security Management.

This followed the approval of the College Governing Board in August 2005, which approved the Course for the Middle cadre military officers on the rank of Major and Lt Col from the Army and their equivalent in other Services as well as their civilian counterparts. The Course is intended to provide the officers with a broad understanding of the contemporary issues surrounding the management of defence and security within the  context of defence transformation            

The Course answers to an observed gap in the capacities of officers to deliver good advise and effective service in the area of defence and security management. The Course, which was initially intended to be a months programme has been reduced to a two week Course, to give the officers, level understanding of defence planning, programming and other aspects of security considerations.   

In the first and second Pilot Courses, the Royal Defence Academy (RDA), UK would provide the repertoire of resource persons. Thereafter, the course shall be fully run by the ACSRS both for Nigerians and for West Africa. 

FORTHCOMING COURSES

Security Sector Reform/Development and Governance Course

The Department is also working closely with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and ECOWAS to organise a Certificate Course in Security Sector Reform/ Development and Governance for experts and professionals in West Africa.       

This Course is predicated on the fact that effective governance of the security sector is a crucial issue in most countries of the world, but even more so in the emerging democracies of Africa.  Military and other security institutions hold within them the monopoly of state violence, which, if not properly directed and controlled can become a force unto themselves. The proper governance and regulation of the security sector therefore requires an informed and active legislature, a clear governmental policy framework and laws, effective civilian executive authorities and an active civil society to keep the security sector accountable, transparent and efficient.  The ultimate purpose is to ensure that security institutions (armed forces in particular) are governed according to the principles of democratic control and accountability.

The aim of the Security Sector Reform/Development and Governance Course which is for one month is to expose Participants to the different facets and dynamics of security sector governance and reform. At the end of the course it is expected that participants would be able to understand the concept and the dynamics of governance and reform in the security sector; acquire toolbox of analysis on issues in security sector reform and governance; put to use the lessons learnt about security sector reform and governance; contribute to policy making process in the area of defence and security sector; as well as become experts and not only personnel, in the security sector.

Certificate Course in Internal Security Management 

This Course which is also aligned to the reform of the security sector, is intended for internal security operatives in Nigeria. They include the Military the Police, Immigration, Customs and the State Security Service (SSS) officers. Other soft security agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission are also eligible to participate in the training where necessary. 

The Course will focus on how internal security operatives should cope with the management of crime control, civil policing, community policing, and the anti-corruption campaign among others.  

The Course is meant only for personnel of relevant government parastatals and organizations.

Certificate Course in Investigation and Intelligence Management

This Course is specifically designed to update the skills of the security operatives in the intelligence sector. However, the police and other ‘soft security’ outfits may also benefit from the training. The Course is important given the rise of conflicts and threats of terrorism within and around Nigeria’s borders.

This Course will be organized in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser to the President and the Chief of Intelligence and Security Services in Africa (CISSA). Participants will be drawn from all over Africa.

THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE AND SECURITY STUDIES OF THE ACSRS-NDC

The Department of Defence and Security Studies was set up recognising that in today’s world defence and security studies have become much more strategic to the survival of nation states. The department has as its focus, contribution to knowledge in general but in particular to the reconstruction and the transformation of the global defence and security system. The effort is conceived towards the general re-ordering of the world for sustainable security development as well as meeting the challenges arising from globalisation. The vision of the department is anchored on defining and establishing the purpose of defence and security in such a way as to advance and facilitate the attainment of Nigeria’s interests at continental and global levels. The department thus has the mission of conducting research and training as well as capacity building for experts and personnel in the defence and security sector. It also strives to create a network of inter-connectivity that could analyse and generate policy issues towards the achievement of democratic governance in the defence and security sector in Nigeria and Africa. 

Research Programme Desks and Activities: The research programme desks and their areas of activity are as follows:

a)     Defence Economics Desk with programmes centred on defence resource management; defence budgeting; military expenditure; and military industrial complex.

b)    Defence Sector Desk with programmes centred on management of national defence policy; MOD and the management of defence; DHQ and the Services in the management of defence; defence doctrine and force structure; military strategy; comparative defence studies.

c)     Civil-Military Relations Desk with programmes centred on the military and the state; the military and democracy; civil society and the military; defence sector restructuring/reform; parliamentary oversight of the defence and security sector; the military and national development.

d)    Security Sector Desk with programmes centred around security and development; democracy and governance of the security sector; national security strategy; security sector reforms in the Para military organisations; Soft security organs; small arms and arms proliferation; terrorism and global security; human rights and security, etc