By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, has emphasized that superior training and mastery of essential military skills are fundamental to the Nigerian Army’s operational successes. He made the declaration on Friday, 13 February 2026, while inaugurating Course 10/2026 at the Army War College Nigeria, the Army’s premier institution for operational-level education.
In an official statement signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel APPOLONIA ANELE, the COAS highlighted the pivotal role of the College in bridging the gap between tactical execution and strategic direction. He noted that the institution equips carefully selected officers with the expertise to translate national and military objectives into coordinated operational plans within joint and multi-agency environments.
Since its establishment in 2017, the AWCN has emerged as a hub of excellence in operational art, military strategy and national security studies, achieving significant milestones in curriculum development, research, innovation, and infrastructure. Reiterating the words of former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the Army Chief stated, “No magic trick has been found for the effective performance of our roles as an Army other than excellent training and the acquisition of vital military skills.” He urged participants to embrace progressive thinking and new knowledge to sharpen their professional edge.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further charged the officers to fully leverage the robust academic and experiential learning platforms provided by the College, emphasizing that the course is tailored to prepare them for high-level responsibilities in complex operational theatres. The training, he affirmed, reinforces his Command Philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively executing its constitutional duties within a joint and multi-agency framework.
Against the backdrop of evolving and asymmetric threats, the Army Chief stressed the importance of adaptive leadership, operational preparedness, and sound administration. He encouraged participants to challenge conventional assumptions, expand their strategic outlook, and deepen their understanding of leadership and warfare, noting that the nation relies on them for innovative and actionable solutions to emerging security challenges.
The Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, Umaru Alkali, described the inauguration as a defining milestone in the officers’ professional journey. He highlighted that the course is structured to produce agile, informed, and decisive leaders equipped to thrive in today’s volatile security landscape.
Course 10/2026 comprises 85 senior officers of the Nigerian Army, alongside two officers each from the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, as well as participants from Botswana, Chad, Guinea, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Ghana, and South Africa. This diversity underscores the Nigerian Army’s strategic influence and leadership role in promoting regional peace and stability.
The ceremony also featured the inaugural lecture titled “Harnessing Indigenous Technological Innovations for Enhanced National Defence,” delivered by former Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, further emphasizing the integration of innovation into military strategy and operational planning.
The inauguration of Course 10/2026 reinforces the Nigerian Army’s commitment to professional excellence, operational readiness, and the cultivation of capable leaders ready to navigate the challenges of contemporary and future security environments.
