By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Commander Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), Major General Kevin Aligbe, tasked the Nigerian Army training institutions to rake the full ownership of the Doctrinal Concepts in the transformation drive of the service.
Maj Gen Aligbe made the call during the opening of the TRADOC Nigerian Army Doctrine Development Workshop 2025 organised in conjunction with Army Headquarters (AHQ) on Tuesday, 8 July, 2025 in Minna, Niger State.
The theme of the workshop is ” Enhancing Doctrinal Development for Effective Training and Operations in a Joint Environment “
He called on the participants to be open minded to the workshop, so as to be better informed and be able to contribute immensely and meaningfully in the doctrinal process that will take the Nigerian Army to a greater heights in line with the international doctrinal best practices.
The Commander TRADOC stated that doctrine remains the soul of the Army as “it defines who we are and what we are meant to do as professional army”.
He described doctrine as the blue print for military fight and ensures that military remains focused , organised, trained, and equipped.
He added that doctrine gives direction to the army in achieving it objectives in a more coordinated and effective manner.
According to him, the “Soldier First in Focus” concept is centered on prioritising training, equipping, and responsive leadership, while also ensuring welfare especially in areas of quality housing, healthcare, and family support for the troops.
“Therefore inputs will be expected from them in order produce a doctrine that will guide the NA personnel in enriching their quality as professional officers and soldiers,” he said.
The commander, who doubles as the Special Guest of Honour (SGoH) at the event said that the TRADOC NA remains the centre of excellence for the Nigerian Army towards building the capacity and resourcefulness of the personnel, particularly in the areas of doctrine and training and reminded the participants that the NA Doctrine is subject to review after every five years.
He appreciated the COAS, for his unwavering support, leadership and strategic policy guidance in piloting the affairs of the Nigerian Army.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Doctrine and Combat Development (CDCD), Maj Gen Jamiu Jimoh, stated that Doctrine plays a crucial role ensuring that different units can seamlessly work together in a joint environment.
Maj Gen Jimlh said the workshop is in line with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Command Philosophy, “To Consolidate the Transformation of the Nigerian Army Towards Bequeathing a Well-Motivated and Combat-Ready Force that can Effectively Discharge its Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment”.
The CDCD who was represented by Maj Gen Mohammed Babayo, Director Lessons Learnt TRADOC NA, reiterated that the Workshop 2025 would deepens participants knowledge of doctrinal process.
He added that it provides a unified framework on how military forces operate ensuring unity of effort and facilitating effective training and operations.
He seized the opportunity to convey the Department of Doctrine and Combat Development ‘s gratitude to the Commander TRADOC for his good leadership and continuous support which made the workshop a reality. He therefore wished the participants a successful and fruitful workshop.
The participants of the capacity building workshop are expected to gained knowledge that will make them to be more reformed and refined on the doctrinal process.
Equally, it is expected that the knowledge would be replicated in all category of the classroom at various Nigeruan Army and Formations Training
Institutions.
