By Elizabeth Tanko
Kaduna, Nigeria – Former Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), has bagged a Doctorate Degree in Defence and Security Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
The doctorate was conferred on the renowned Public Relations guru and security expert at the 36th Convocation Ceremony of the Academy held at the NDA Auditorium, Afaka, Kaduna.
Brig. Gen. Usman (rtd), who is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and a member of the National Institute (mni), received his certificate from the Special Guest of Honour at the convocation, Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who was represented by Dr Balaraba Sabuwa, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State.
The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Oluyemi Thomas Olatoye, was equally present as the senior officer-turned-scholar was presented with the prestigious certificate.
The conferment marks another academic milestone for General Usman, who is widely respected as one of the Nigerian Army’s most accomplished spokesmen. He served as Director Army Public Relations from 2015 to 2019, a period that coincided with intense counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, and was noted for his robust media management and civil-military relations drive.
A highly decorated officer, Brig. Gen. Usman (rtd) is a graduate of Bayero University Kano, the University of Leicester, UK, and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos. He also holds Master’s degrees in Mass Communication, Conflict, Peace and Strategic Studies, among other qualifications, and has attended several military and professional courses within and outside Nigeria.
His Doctoral research in Defence and Security Studies is expected to further enrich Nigeria’s security discourse, particularly in the areas of strategic communication, countering violent extremism, and defence management.
The 36th Convocation of the NDA featured the award of degrees to postgraduate students, including Masters and PhD candidates, as part of the Academy’s mandate as a leading institution for military and security education in Africa.
Dignitaries at the event included senior military officers, members of academia, top government officials and family members of graduands.
Meanwhile, Security Watch Africa congratulates Brig. Gen. Usman (rtd) who is also a member of its Board of Trustees, on this outstanding academic achievement.
