By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged newly trained soldiers to uphold professionalism and discipline as they deploy to newly established Army formations across the country.
Shaibu gave the charge on Friday, August 7, 2026, during the graduation of the Advanced Infantry Training Programme, codenamed _Exercise RESTORE HOPE X_, at the Nigerian Army Training Centre, NATC, Kachia, Kaduna State.
Describing the programme as the flagship of the Army’s post-basic infantry training, the COAS said it was designed to sharpen combat skills, strengthen the warrior ethos and prepare troops for contemporary security challenges.
The graduation comes amid what the Army Chief described as one of the most deliberate force expansion and capability enhancement initiatives in the Service’s history.
Following approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the restructuring of the Nigerian Army, Shaibu disclosed that additional divisions, formations and units have been created to improve force disposition and operational response to evolving threats.
“Many of you graduating today will constitute the nucleus of these new formations and are expected to translate your training into operational effectiveness,” he told the graduands.
The Army Chief urged them to justify the investment in their training by demonstrating sound judgment, mission focus, and strict adherence to the rule of law, human rights and rules of engagement. He also tasked them to remain physically fit, mentally alert and technologically proficient.
Shaibu expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for what he called “unwavering support” to the Army’s operational, training and administrative needs, saying the President’s guidance has been instrumental to the ongoing transformation.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, said _Exercise RESTORE HOPE X_ remains a critical pillar of the Army’s training architecture. He noted that trainees were exposed to tactical operations, marksmanship, field craft, counter-insurgency and leadership development to boost their battlefield competence and decision-making.
He added that the exercise has strengthened institutional capacity by standardising post-basic infantry training and refining instructional methods across Army training schools.
The statement was signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
