By Grace Izilien
The President General of the EX-JAM Association Worldwide, Ahmed Mimi, has paid a maiden official visit to the Commandant of the Nigerian Military School (NMS), Zaria, where he formally presented a proposal seeking approval for the establishment of a Tri-Service Military and Academic Courses Exchange Programme aimed at strengthening collaboration among Nigeria’s future military leaders.
The initiative proposes a structured partnership among the Nigerian Military School (NMS) Zaria, the Air Force Military School (AFMS) Jos, and the Nigerian Navy Military School (NNMS), Ikot Ntuen. According to Mimi, the programme is designed to enhance cooperation among the three services – Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy training institutions while harmonizing military regimentation and academic standards at the secondary school level.
The visit, which aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed emphasis on strengthening inter-service cooperation across Nigeria’s security architecture also amplifies Nigeria’s minister of defence, General CG Musa’s (rtd) consistent advocacy on the importance of joint operations, intelligence sharing and operational synergy among the armed forces and other security agencies in addressing evolving security challenges.
Presenting the proposal, Ahmed Mimi explained that the initiative was conceived to promote early interaction among trainees of the three military schools, thereby preparing them for the realities of modern joint operations within the armed forces.
“The objective is to build a system where our future officers are exposed early to the traditions, operational cultures and training standards of the Army, Air Force and Navy,” he said. “By doing this, we are nurturing a generation of disciplined young leaders who understand the importance of jointness in national defence.” the EX-JAM PG declared.
Under the proposed arrangement, Mimi proposed instructors, academic staff and students from the three institutions will participate in a reciprocal exchange programme that will encourage the sharing of training techniques, military doctrines and academic strategies. This collaboration will facilitate the cross-pollination of ideas in areas such as military drills, air force orientation, naval traditions and modern teaching methodologies.
Each of the participating institutions has played a vital role in developing Nigeria’s military manpower. Established in 1954, the Nigerian Military School remains the country’s oldest military secondary school and like the Air Force Military School AFMS Jos, has produced generations of distinguished military generals, seasoned administrators and world class businessmen who have found a home in the school’s alumni association – the “Ex-BA.”
Similarly, the Air Force Military School, Jos, founded in 1980, prepares students known as “Junior Airmen” “JAM” through a combination of rigorous academic and military training. It has upheld enviable standards of academic excellence, military regimentation and discipline throughout its almost five decades of establishment. The AFMS Jos alumni association is widely referred to as “EX-Junior Airmen” or “EX-JAM” boasting of the current Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as one of its cherished distinguished members.
The Nigerian Navy Military School, Ikot Ntuen, prides itself in its alumni association known as the “EX-SEAL.” NNMS was established in 2018 in Akwa Ibom State, and represents the newest addition to the triad, and has already earned recognition for its disciplined training environment and strong academic standards, graduating its first set of young sailors in 2023.
Security and defence stakeholders believe the proposed programme comes at a time when military institutions worldwide are increasingly embracing integrated training frameworks to reflect the demands of contemporary warfare. In Nigeria, this shift has been reinforced by recent training and policy adjustments within the Nigerian Navy to incorporate land-based operational components as well as ongoing legislative debates aimed at granting a right of first refusal to the EX – BOYS, EX-JAM and EX-SEAL through a seamless transitions from respective military schools into the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA).
According to the proposal, the exchange programme will be implemented in three strategic phases.
The first phase will involve an Instructor Exchange Programme, where senior trainers from each institution will visit the other schools to observe and share best practices. This will allow NMS instructors to demonstrate Army-oriented drills and physical training techniques, while AFMS trainers will introduce air force operational concepts such as airfield defence. NNMS instructors, on the other hand, will showcase naval traditions, maritime awareness and parade disciplines that have gained recognition within military training circles.
Academic staff across the three institutions will also collaborate on teaching methods in core subjects such as science and mathematics, while jointly developing strategies for improved performance in national examinations such as WAEC and NECO.
The second phase will focus on a Tri-Service Youth Leadership Camp, where selected senior students from the three schools will participate in an annual exchange programme hosted on a rotational basis. The leadership camp will feature joint military drills, obstacle courses, leadership development sessions, map-reading and navigation exercises, as well as cultural and sporting activities designed to foster camaraderie among participants.
The final phase will emphasize academic and cultural integration, including joint quiz competitions, drama festivals and inter-school sporting events. The schools are also expected to share academic calendars and curriculum materials to identify opportunities for standardization and improvement.
Ahmed Mimi believes the programme will generate multiple benefits for both the institutions and the Armed Forces of Nigeria. These include improved curriculum development through shared expertise, better utilization of specialized instructors, enhanced institutional prestige and stronger manpower development for the nation’s military.
The EX-JAM President General believes the exposures of the military schools’ junior cadets to the traditions of the three services is essential for preparing future officers for complex security environments.
“It is a joint effort, not just the armed forces but including sister services,” Mimi said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in achieving national security objectives.
The proposal outlines an implementation timeline beginning with approval by the commandants of the three schools. Once endorsed, a Joint Planning Committee comprising representatives from NMS Zaria, AFMS Jos and NNMS Ikot Ntuen will be constituted within 30 days to develop a detailed blueprint and draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to guide the programme.
Funding and logistical support are expected to come from the training directorates of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Navy, alongside contributions from the three schools’ Parents-Instructors Associations and possible corporate sponsorships. Host institutions will provide accommodation for visiting staff and students, while a dedicated tri-service secretariat will coordinate the exchange activities.
Beyond the formal presentation of the proposal, the meeting also focused on strengthening the relationship between alumni groups of the participating institutions. In his remarks, the MMS Commandant, Brigadier General ON Ejiga described the engagement as “long overdue,” stressing the need to rekindle the fraternal spirit that historically binds students of the three schools.
Discussions highlighted the importance of sustaining mentorship between alumni and current students, often referred to as “JAM,” “Boys,” and “Seals” to ensure continuity of values, leadership culture and institutional heritage.
The visit, which also had the EX-BA national president, Mohammed Baba Marte in attendance, was widely regarded as a significant milestone in strengthening cooperation between the EX-JAM Association and the Ex-Boys Association of the Nigerian Military School, reinforcing the broader vision of “bridging the gap and building legacies.”
Stakeholders agreed that the EX-JAM PG’s proposed exchange programme represents an important step toward strengthening the educational excellence, military regimentation and operational foundation upon which Nigeria’s future military leadership will be built, ensuring that the next generation of officers is better prepared for the realities of joint military operations both within Nigeria and on the global stage.
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