NDA Pays Tribute to Late Brigadier General Zakari Ahmadu Saidu — Honoured as a "Problem Solver" at Emotional Special Executive Meeting
At the Loyalty Hall of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on 9 September, 2025, a Special Executive Meeting convened to honour the memory of the late Brigadier General Zakari Ahmadu Saidu, who served as the Academy’s TETFUND Desk Officer until his passing on 31 August 2025.
Speakers at the event celebrated Brigadier General Saidu’s professional dedication , compassion and personal integrity, with many noting that his finest qualities became even more apparent in the outpouring of tributes after his death. The Dean of the NDA Postgraduate School, Professor David Alahira, and Professor BJ Ajibuah, Director of Linkages and Collaboration, delivered tributes highlighting his commitment to institutional partnerships and academic support. The Academy Provost, Engineer Professor Isa Garba, also paid tribute to the late officer’s contributions to the Academy’s academic and administrative work.
Senior military colleagues who spoke included the Academy Registrar, Brigadier General OA Ogunleye; Director of Administration, Commodore RT Oladejo; Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College ( AFCSC) Jaji, Air Vice Marshal HI Alhaji; and the Deputy Commandant NDA, Air Vice Marshal A. Abdulkadir.
In his remarks, the NDA Commandant, Major General AK Ibrahim OFR, described late General Saidu as a “problem solver,” , a courageous and professional soldier and pledged that the Academy will stand by the family of the deceased as it does for the families of staff who die in service. He also expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede NAM for the support shown during the late officer’s period of ill health.
The NDA Commandant expressed gratitude to Commandant of the AFCSC, Air Vice Marshal HI Alhaji, who represented his coursemates of 41 Regular Course( 41RC), for taking time to attend and for his glowing tribute to the late officer. He urged the 41 Regular Course and other officers to stand by the late general’s family.
Family members in attendance included the late general’s son, Abdussamad Saidu, and his sister, Aishatu Saidu. The program observed a minute’s silence in his honour, followed by special prayers, tributes,a video clip of the late officer ,presentation of souvenirs to the family, and a luncheon.
Brigadier General Zakari Ahmadu Saidu a member of 41 RC and a seasoned armoured officer is remembered by colleagues and subordinates alike for his steady leadership and dedication to the NDA’s mission. He was a dogged, courageous and determined senior officer who would be missed.The Academy’s commemorative executive meeting underscored the deep respect he earned across both the academic and military communities.
The event was grace by the Coordinator, Nigerian Defence Academy Officers Wives Association ( NDAOWA) Hajia Halima Ibrahim and her Entourage among others.
