The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for the adoption of secure and technology-driven data management systems to strengthen decision-making, operational effectiveness and institutional transformation in the Nigerian Army.
Shaibu made the call on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, while declaring open the Fourth Edition of the Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary Data Management and Record-Keeping Seminar at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Abuja.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the seminar was themed “Efficient Data Management and Record-Keeping: Imperative for Advancing the Transformation of the Nigerian Army.”
Represented by the Dean, Faculty of Combat Arms Research, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major General Eyitayo Oyinlola, the COAS said the contemporary security environment and increasing reliance on digital systems had made it imperative for the Army to move beyond traditional approaches to record keeping.
He called for integrated, secure and technology-enabled systems that would enhance efficiency, interoperability and institutional resilience, while urging personnel to strengthen their capacity in data governance, cybersecurity, records preservation and information assurance.
“The contemporary security environment, characterised by rapid technological advancement and increasing reliance on digital systems, requires the Nigerian Army to move beyond traditional approaches to record keeping,” Shaibu said.
The Army Chief stressed that accurate, secure and timely information was fundamental to decisions on recruitment, commissioning, postings, promotions, career progression, welfare, logistics, force generation and operational planning.
He noted that while considerable attention was devoted to force structure, equipment acquisition and training, the effectiveness of such investments ultimately depended on the availability and integrity of relevant data.
“Decisions on recruitment, commissioning, postings, promotions, career progression, welfare, logistics, force generation and operational planning are fundamentally dependent on the quality, integrity and accessibility of relevant data,” he said.
Shaibu further described data management and record keeping as collective institutional responsibilities requiring discipline, professionalism and accountability at every level of command.
He charged participants to use the seminar to deepen their knowledge, exchange ideas and translate lessons learnt into measurable improvements across their formations, units and establishments.
The COAS also commended the Department of Military Secretary for organising the seminar, describing it as timely and relevant to strengthening the Army’s institutional processes.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his sustained support for the transformation and modernisation of the Nigerian Army.
Earlier, the Acting Military Secretary (Army), Brigadier General Mathew Oyekola, described effective data management and record keeping as indispensable to sound administration, institutional memory and operational effectiveness.
Oyekola said the seminar aligned with the COAS Command Philosophy of advancing the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
He said the quality, accuracy, security and accessibility of the Army’s information assets were critical to credible decision-making, career management, operational planning, logistics support, legal compliance, financial accountability and institutional continuity.
“Every report generated and every personnel record maintained contributes to preserving the institutional memory of the Nigerian Army,” Oyekola said.
Delivering the keynote lecture, titled “Efficient Data Management and Record Keeping: A Catalyst for Enhancing Career Management and Administration in the Nigerian Army,” retired Major General Nosakhare Ugbo said modern career management could no longer rely on manual and fragmented systems.
Ugbo noted that accurate and reliable data directly affected recruitment, commissioning, postings, promotions, courses, appointments, welfare and retirement benefits.
He urged personnel to embrace technology-driven solutions, comply strictly with established procedures and regard accurate record keeping as a professional responsibility.
The retired general also advocated sustained investment in data governance, cybersecurity and capacity development to strengthen personnel administration and enable the Army to effectively respond to the demands of an evolving security environment.
The seminar featured lectures and interactive discussions by military and academic resource persons on data governance, cybersecurity, digital records management, information assurance, records preservation and contemporary best practices for enhancing career management and administration in the Nigerian Army.
