By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigerian Army Medal, has called for intensified, battle-hardened training for cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), stressing that the evolving character of warfare demands young officers equipped with courage, discipline, strategic thinking and strong leadership ethos.
In an official statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army Chief delivered the charge during a courtesy visit by the Commandant of the NDA, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, to Army Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, 26 November 2025.
Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasised the need for more purposeful, highly structured cadet training that bridges long-standing gaps in military operations and prepares officers for dynamic battlefield realities. He urged the Commandant to deepen the academy’s leadership development model, strengthen character-building programmes and reinforce training elements that instill resilience and operational competence.
A major highlight of his address was the call to revitalise and empower research centres within the academy especially the NDA Department of Military Science as part of ongoing efforts to boost the national defence industry. The COAS noted that a strong indigenous research framework is essential to building a modern, innovative and technologically advanced military force capable of achieving self-reliance. He described research as the intellectual backbone of any forward-looking defence institution.
He further advocated for a comprehensive curriculum overhaul to reflect contemporary security challenges, with specific emphasis on night operations, improved physical fitness, artificial intelligence and other emerging domains shaping today’s battlespaces. According to him, these reforms are crucial in producing officers who fully understand the complexities of modern warfare and embody the warrior ethos needed to lead effectively in joint and multi-agency operations.
The COAS linked these reforms to his Command Philosophy: “To Advance 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.”
He assured Major General Olatoye of his full support in achieving these objectives, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring that the NDA continues to produce officers who are strategically grounded, operationally proficient and well-prepared for Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.
Responding, the Commandant, Major General Olatoye, congratulated the COAS on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and expressed deep appreciation for the trust placed in him to lead the nation’s premier officer-training institution. Describing the NDA as the “training factory” for future military leaders, he pledged to build on the structures and legacies of previous administrations.
He also sought continued support from the Army Chief to effectively deliver on the academy’s vision and mission of producing competent, disciplined and professional officers capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s defence and security interests.
