Nigerian Midshipman, Abdul-Majeed Zakari has been selected as one of only 15 international students to join the United States Naval Academy (USNA).
Zakari’s selection was announced by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria who lauded his achievement as “a testament to his drive and discipline.” International candidates for the Naval Academy are nominated by their home country’s government or navy for exceptional quality and service.
During their four-year program at Annapolis, Maryland, Zakari and his fellow international midshipmen will undergo a rigorous and structured program designed to prepare them for service as officers in their home countries’ armed forces.
They will study a diverse curriculum that includes small arms, drill, seamanship, navigation, tactics, naval engineering, leadership, ethics, military law, mathematics, chemistry, physics, and English.
In addition to academic studies, midshipmen participate in practical training each summer at naval bases and on ships. This hands-on experience is crucial for applying their theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges of military service.
International midshipmen do not receive commissions in the U.S. Armed Forces upon graduation. Instead, they return to their home countries to fulfil their obligations.
Robert Gabor, the U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy Counselor and the team wished him well before his 4-year journey.
In April, Princess Owowoh Oluchukwu, an officer in the Nigerian Military similarly made headlines after becoming the first female officer cadet from Nigeria to graduate from the UK Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), after the likes of Yakubu Gowon, former head of state and president of Nigeria, and Emmanuel Undiandeye, chief of defence intelligence in Nigeria.
Zakari and the Class of 2028, will be officially inducted on June 27, 2024.
