By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) to sustain rigorous, mission-focused training aimed at producing highly competent combat engineers capable of delivering effective operational support across theatres of deployment.
The directive was given on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, during his maiden operational visit to Headquarters NASME in Makurdi. The development was disclosed in an official statement signed by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, NASME, Lieutenant Nkuma Mba.
Addressing officers and instructors, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu underscored the strategic importance of NASME in strengthening the technical and operational backbone of the Nigerian Army. He described the institution as a critical pillar in generating the skilled manpower required to execute complex engineering tasks across formations and units nationwide.
According to the Army Chief, the evolving dynamics of modern warfare demand not only bravery but also advanced technical proficiency and operational precision. He stressed that training at NASME must remain realistic, practical and aligned with contemporary operational realities to ensure quality output and enhanced combat effectiveness.
Reaffirming his command philosophy, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu placed strong emphasis on personnel welfare, noting that improved accommodation and living conditions are directly linked to morale and operational efficiency. He assured troops of his commitment to enhancing welfare and infrastructure within NASME Barracks.
Earlier, the Commandant of NASME, Major General Idongesit Essien Ekpenyong, expressed appreciation for the COAS’s sustained support and provided a detailed briefing on ongoing training activities, operational commitments and infrastructural challenges facing the institution.
The visit featured an operational briefing, presentation of a commemorative memento and group photographs, underscoring the Army leadership’s resolve to strengthen professional military engineering training in support of national security objectives.
