By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has described effective data management and record keeping as a strategic capability essential to informed decision-making, operational effectiveness, accountability and the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army.
The COAS stated this on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, while declaring open the Fourth Edition of the Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary Data Management and Record-Keeping Seminar at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Abuja.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Apollonia Anele.
The seminar, themed _“Efficient Data Management and Record-Keeping: Imperative for Advancing the Transformation of the Nigerian Army,”_ brought together military personnel, academics and resource persons to examine contemporary approaches to managing, securing and preserving institutional information.
Represented by the Dean, Faculty of Combat Arms Research, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major General Eyitayo Oyinlola, the COAS said while considerable attention is devoted to force structure, equipment and training, the effectiveness of these efforts depends on accurate, secure and timely information.
He stressed that decisions on recruitment, commissioning, postings, promotions, career progression, welfare, logistics, force generation and operational planning are fundamentally dependent on the quality, integrity and accessibility of relevant data.
Lieutenant General Shaibu noted that the contemporary security environment, marked by rapid technological advancement and digital systems, requires the Army to move beyond traditional record keeping.
He called for integrated, secure and technology-enabled systems that promote efficiency, interoperability and institutional resilience, while urging personnel to strengthen capacity in data governance, cybersecurity and information assurance.
The COAS said data management and record keeping are collective institutional responsibilities requiring discipline, professionalism and accountability at every level of command. He charged participants to translate lessons learnt into measurable improvements across formations.
He commended the Department of Military Secretary for organising the seminar, describing it as timely and relevant to strengthening the Army’s institutional processes.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained commitment to the transformation and modernisation of the Nigerian Army, noting that the President’s support has enhanced operational capabilities, equipment modernisation, personnel welfare and institutional reforms.
Earlier, the Acting Military Secretary, Brigadier General Mathew Oyekola, said efficient data management is indispensable to sound administration, institutional memory and operational effectiveness.
He stated that the seminar aligns with the COAS Command Philosophy of _“Advancing the Transformation of the Nigerian Army into a More Professional, Adaptable, Combat Ready and Resilient Force.”_
Delivering the keynote, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, Rtd, said modern career management can no longer depend on manual and fragmented systems. He noted that accurate data directly impacts recruitment, promotions, courses, appointments, welfare and retirement benefits.
He urged personnel to embrace technology-driven solutions and advocated sustained investment in data governance, cybersecurity and capacity development.
The seminar featured lectures and interactive discussions on data governance, cybersecurity, digital records management and contemporary best practices for career management in the Nigerian Army.
