On Saturday, October 8, 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari attended  Passing Out Parade and Commissioning Ceremony for 63 Regular Course of Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.

At the event, expressed delight at the progress made by the academy in terms of both physical infrastructure and quality of teaching and training since he last visited.

He said he always looked forward to coming seeing the parades as it reminds him of his cadet days as well as the opportunity it gives him to appreciate the tremendous progress and achievements of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Armed Forces since independence.

He said, “The excellent parade we have just witnessed is a testimony to the high standard of training and discipline the Academy has set. I, therefore, commend the Commandant, instructors and gentlemen officer cadets for this outstanding parade. Today’s Passing Out Parade has an added significance because, for the first time in 52 years, this Academy is graduating female cadets who will be commissioned as regular officers into the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“While congratulating these soon-to-be pioneer female Regular Combatant officers for their courage and resilience in the past 5 years, I advise the Services to put in place adequate institutional mechanisms to evaluate the deployment or otherwise of our female officers in active combat roles. But we must be careful to carry public opinion with us and respect cultural sensitivities.”