By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged officers and soldiers graduating from Exercise Restore Hope IX to convert the rigours of their training into decisive operational victories as they deploy to various theatres of operation across the country to confront Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The charge was given at the Final Exercise and Graduation Ceremony of Exercise Restore Hope IX, held on Friday, 23 January 2026, at the Nigerian Army Training Camp, Kachia, Kaduna State. In an official statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army Chief underscored that the true measure of training lies not in certificates or drills, but in concrete results on the battlefield.
According to Lieutenant General Shaibu, combat excellence, discipline, adaptability and teamwork have become non-negotiable requirements for success in today’s complex and perception-sensitive warfare environment. He described Exercise Restore Hope as a key pillar of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing transformation agenda, aimed at building a professional, resilient and mission-oriented force capable of operating seamlessly within joint and multi-agency frameworks.
He noted that the advanced infantry training undergone during the exercise had significantly enhanced the graduates’ marksmanship, physical endurance, combat medical proficiency and mental resilience, equipping them for sustained, high-tempo operations in demanding environments. The COAS stressed that these competencies must now be applied decisively in the field to secure operational success and protect lives.
While emphasising combat effectiveness, the Army Chief also reminded the troops that battlefield success must be firmly anchored on professionalism, respect for human rights and accountability. He stated that ethical conduct remains central to sustaining public trust, strengthening civil-military relations and maintaining the legitimacy of military operations.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the instructors and training establishments involved in the exercise for maintaining high standards, adding that graduates of previous editions of Exercise Restore Hope had consistently distinguished themselves across various theatres of operation, contributing meaningfully to ongoing security efforts nationwide.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General V. U. Okoro, described Exercise Restore Hope now in its ninth series as one of the Nigerian Army’s most critical post-basic training platforms. He explained that the exercise continues to play a vital role in sharpening combat skills, building resilience and preparing officers and soldiers for the realities of contemporary operations.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Chief of Army Staff formally declared Exercise Restore Hope IX closed, congratulated the graduating officers and soldiers, and approved the immediate promotion and decoration of seven soldiers who distinguished themselves through exceptional performance as instructors during the exercise.
