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AFCSC Students get firsthand insight into Nigerian troops’ peacekeeping operations in Gambia

Students of Senior Course 48 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Nigeria, have visited the Nigerian Contingent 11 of the ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) to gain firsthand knowledge of its operational activities and peace support responsibilities.

The students visited the contingent’s base camp in Yundum on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, as part of their African Study Tour.

A statement signed by Captain Babale Kela, Military Public Information Officer of the Nigerian Contingent, ECOMIG, said the delegation was led by Air Commodore Olamiju Olusegun Obasa, Director of the Department of Air Warfare.

Other members of the delegation included the Team Coordinator, Colonel AT Adeleye, members of the Directing Staff and student officers participating in the study tour.

Speaking during the visit, Obasa thanked the Contingent Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Yahaya Mohammed Abdullahi, for the warm reception accorded the delegation.

He commended Abdullahi’s leadership, dedication to duty and commitment to the development of the contingent.

Obasa also urged the student officers to remain focused, disciplined and hardworking, describing these qualities as essential to professional excellence and career advancement.

He encouraged them to embrace positive change, contribute meaningfully to their assignments and pursue continuous self-development.

The air commodore further advised the officers to identify their individual weaknesses and take deliberate steps to address them, stressing that personal growth, adaptability and lifelong learning were vital attributes of effective leadership.

In his remarks, Abdullahi expressed appreciation to the team leader and members of the delegation for taking time out of their busy schedules to visit the Nigerian contingent.

He also commended the leadership of AFCSC and its training team for maintaining professional military training standards, which contribute to officers’ professional development and the college’s reputation for excellence.

The visit provided an opportunity for the student officers to understand the operational activities, responsibilities and contributions of the Nigerian contingent towards achieving ECOMIG’s mandate in The Gambia.

It also offered a platform for professional interaction and the exchange of knowledge and experiences on military operations, leadership and peace support engagements.

Highlights of the visit included an operational briefing, an interactive session, the exchange of souvenirs, group photographs and a dinner hosted in honour of the visiting delegation.