By Nkechi Eze
The Nigerian Army has unveiled the Nigerian Army Airborne Training School at Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State, as part of efforts to strengthen its specialised and special operations capabilities.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, unveiled the School on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Shaibu said the establishment of the School represents a strategic investment in capability development, aimed at strengthening the Army’s capacity to rapidly deploy highly trained personnel for complex airborne and special operations.
He noted that the evolving character of warfare and increasing sophistication of asymmetric threats require personnel who are highly trained, agile, adaptable and capable of operating effectively in challenging environments.
The COAS stressed the importance of airborne and special operations capabilities to counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and other asymmetric operations, tasking the Commandant and instructors to maintain a rigorous and operationally relevant training curriculum.
He said the School would serve as a centre of excellence for airborne operations, parachuting, air assault and other specialised military skills, adding that its activities would enhance combat readiness and operational flexibility.
Shaibu assured the School of continued support from Army Headquarters through the provision of infrastructure, equipment and manpower to enable it fulfil its mandate.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Airborne School, Brigadier General Muhammed Sani Usman, said the institution was upgraded from a Wing of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, to a full-fledged School.
Usman said the upgrade was necessitated by the Army’s force development drive and the need to strengthen specialised capabilities, particularly those required to complement the operational employment of Nigerian Army Aviation.
