By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, NAM, has announced far-reaching reforms in the Nigerian Army’s training, intelligence, operational and administrative frameworks, aimed at strengthening professionalism, adaptability and combat readiness.
The COAS made this known on Thursday while delivering his closing remarks at the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2025, held at Nebo Hall, Abalti Barracks, Lagos.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele in Abuja, the COAS said the conference served as a critical platform for assessing the Nigerian Army’s operational and administrative performance in 2025, noting that deliberations would guide policies and actions in the year ahead.
According to him, the Army will immediately begin realigning its training, operations, logistics and administrative processes with his Command Philosophy, which seeks to advance institutional transformation and enhance the Army’s capacity to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
As part of the reforms, the COAS announced a comprehensive overhaul of training curricula across all Nigerian Army training institutions. He stressed that realistic, mission-oriented training directly impacts operational effectiveness and success. He added that Army Headquarters, through the Department of Training, would lead the implementation of mission-specific training programmes, with increased emphasis on Special Forces and Army Aviation.
“The Nigerian Army will make informed but bold changes to its training and operational activities in the coming year, including deliberate interventions to enhance the capacity of Special Forces institutions,” he said.
Lieutenant General Shaibu noted that intelligence briefings and operational updates presented at the conference highlighted the increasing complexity of Nigeria’s security environment. He emphasised the need to strengthen capabilities in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), cyber operations and technological innovation to effectively counter evolving threats.
He further assured that the Army would continue to adapt and innovate, while leveraging support from the nation’s political leadership in the procurement of critical military hardware and software, and fostering a culture of innovation at all levels.
On troops’ welfare, the COAS reaffirmed his commitment to addressing accommodation shortfalls across Nigerian Army barracks nationwide. He disclosed that all ongoing residential accommodation projects have been directed to be completed and allocated without delay, while new housing projects would be initiated across formations. He added that extensive renovation works would also be carried out as an interim measure.
The Army Chief also reiterated that post-service housing for soldiers remains a top priority, announcing the commissioning of the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) Akobo Project and the Post-Service Housing Development Limited Shopping Complex in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) and the conference planning committee for the successful organisation of the event, as well as participants for what he described as robust and unprecedented contributions that would enrich future strategies and policy formulation.
He expressed the Nigerian Army’s appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his sustained support, reaffirming the Army’s loyalty to the President and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The COAS Annual Conference 2025, which was declared open on Monday, 14 December 2025 by President Tinubu, drew participants from defence headquarters as well as Nigerian Army formations and units across the country.
