By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has moved to strengthen the professional capacity of Nigerian Army officers through enhanced military training and a proposed cadet exchange programme with Rwanda.
Shaibu stated this on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, during a visit to the Rwanda Military Academy (RMA), Gako, as part of his official working visit to Rwanda to deepen bilateral defence cooperation and improve military training.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS emphasised the importance of modern military training, professional military education and international partnerships in developing combat-ready, adaptable and interoperable armed forces.
He commended the Rwanda Military Academy for its training standards, discipline and professionalism, particularly the tactical proficiency demonstrated during a Special Forces display.
The Army Chief noted that evolving security threats required innovative training methods, effective leadership and operational adaptability, stressing that professional military education remained essential to preparing officers for complex security environments.
Shaibu also urged the academy’s leadership to prepare for the first batch of Nigerian officer cadets expected to participate in the proposed exchange programme, which is aimed at strengthening military training and professional development between both countries.
He advocated the exchange of experiences in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, noting that lessons from both countries’ operational engagements could enhance training, improve operational planning and strengthen interoperability in addressing shared security challenges.
Earlier, the representative of the Commandant, Brigadier General Bukenya, said the academy was committed to developing professional military leaders through rigorous instruction in military tactics, leadership, discipline and physical fitness.
Bukenya explained that the academy’s programmes also equip cadets with essential skills in peace support operations, operational planning and logistics management, preparing them for the demands of contemporary military engagements.
He welcomed the proposed partnership with Nigeria, reaffirming the academy’s commitment to advancing military education and strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
The visit underscores the Nigerian Army’s efforts to expand international military collaboration, improve officer training and build a corps of future commanders equipped to respond to emerging security threats and the changing demands of modern warfare.
