By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has declared that superior training and the mastery of essential military skills remain the bedrock of outstanding performance in the Nigerian Army.
He made this assertion on Friday, 13 February 2026, while inaugurating Course 10/2026 at the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN).
Describing the College as the Nigerian Army’s premier institution for operational-level education, the COAS said it plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between tactical execution and strategic direction.
He noted that the institution equips carefully selected officers with the expertise to convert national and military objectives into synchronized operational plans within joint and multi-agency environments.
Lieutenant General Shaibu observed that since its establishment in 2017, the AWCN has grown into a hub of excellence in operational art, military strategy and national security studies, recording significant strides in curriculum development, research, innovation and infrastructure.
Citing former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, he reiterated that “no magic trick has been found for the effective performance of our roles as an Army other than excellent training and the acquisition of vital military skills.”
He urged participants to embrace progressive thinking and new knowledge to sharpen their professional edge.
The COAS further charged the participants to fully leverage the robust academic and experiential learning platform provided by the College, stressing that the course is tailored to prepare them for high-level responsibilities in complex operational theatres.
He affirmed that the training reinforces his Command Philosophy of advancing the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
Against the backdrop of evolving and asymmetric threats, the Army Chief stressed the imperative of adaptive leadership, operational preparedness and sound administration.
He encouraged participants to challenge conventional assumptions, expand their strategic outlook and deepen their grasp of leadership and warfare, noting that the nation will rely on them for innovative, actionable solutions to emerging security challenges.
Earlier, the Commandant Army War College Nigeria, Major General Umaru Alkali, described the inauguration as a defining milestone in the officers’ professional journey. He stated that the course is structured to produce agile, informed and decisive leaders equipped to thrive in today’s volatile security landscape.
Participants of Course 10/2026 comprises 85 senior officers of the Nigerian Army, alongside two officers each from the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, as well as participants from Botswana, Chad, Guinea, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Ghana and South Africa, underscoring the Nigerian Army’s strategic influence and leadership role in promoting regional peace and stability.
The ceremony featured the inaugural lecture titled “Harnessing Indigenous Technological Innovations for Enhanced National Defence,” delivered by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (Rtd).
