Two Military School Students Receive Odina Excellence Award

Two graduating students of the Nigerian Military School (NMS), Zaria, have been honoured with the Major O.O. Odina Award for Excellence in recognition of their exceptional achievements in academics and military training. The award, sponsored by Green Lunar Nigeria Limited, celebrates outstanding performance and promotes excellence among young military students.

Also read: Ondo wins Basic Education Sports competition with 9 gold, 12 Silver, 10 Bronze

The 2026 recipients are Boy Sergeant Oduadu Dan, who received the award for Best in Academics, and Boy Private Oko Leonard, who was recognised as Best in Military Training during the school’s passing-out ceremony.

The awards were presented by the Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Military School, Colonel C.B. Obida, alongside Mr. Samuel Saukut Habila, representing the sponsors. The ceremony formed part of activities marking the graduation of the latest set of boy soldiers from the prestigious military institution.

Speaking at the event, the organisers said the award was established to encourage discipline, academic excellence and leadership among students of the Nigerian Military School. They noted that recognising exceptional performance would inspire other cadets to pursue excellence both in the classroom and in military training.

The Major O.O. Odina Award for Excellence was instituted by Green Lunar Nigeria Limited in honour of the company’s founding chairman, the late Major O.O. Odina. The initiative seeks to preserve his legacy by rewarding young Nigerians who demonstrate outstanding character, discipline and dedication to learning.

The Nigerian Military School, established in 1954 in Zaria, Kaduna State, is one of the country’s foremost military secondary schools. The institution combines conventional academic education with military training, producing graduates who have gone on to serve with distinction in the Armed Forces and other sectors of national development.

Stakeholders at the ceremony commended the award recipients for their remarkable achievements and urged other students to emulate their commitment to hard work, discipline and service. They also praised the sponsors for supporting initiatives that recognise excellence and encourage leadership among Nigeria’s future military personnel.