Superior Training, Core Fighting Skills Key To Operational Success – COAS
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed that superior training and mastery of core warfighting competencies remain the foundation of exceptional performance in the Nigerian Army.
Shaibu made this known on Friday, 13 February 2026, during the inauguration of Course 10/2026 at the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN).
Describing the College as the Nigerian Army’s premier institution for operational-level education, the COAS emphasized its critical role in bridging tactical execution with strategic direction.
He noted that the AWCN prepares carefully selected officers to translate national and military objectives into coordinated operational plans within joint and multi-agency frameworks.
Lieutenant General Shaibu observed that since its establishment in 2017, the AWCN has evolved into a centre of excellence in operational art, military strategy and national security studies, even as he highlighted its achievements in curriculum development, research, innovation and infrastructure.
Quoting former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, he reiterated that “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 adopt forward-thinking approaches and continuously seek new knowledge to enhance their professional competence.
The COAS further encouraged participants to maximize the College’s comprehensive academic and experiential learning platform, noting that the course is specifically designed to prepare them for senior responsibilities in complex operational environments.
He affirmed that the training aligns with his Command Philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of effectively fulfilling its constitutional mandate within joint and multi-agency settings.
Against the backdrop of evolving and asymmetric threats, the Army Chief stressed the importance of adaptive leadership, operational readiness and sound administration.
He tasked participants with questioning conventional assumptions, broadening their strategic perspectives and deepening their understanding of leadership and warfare, emphasizing that the nation will depend on them for innovative and practical responses to emerging security challenges.
Earlier, the Commandant of the AWCN, Umaru Alkali, described the inauguration as a significant milestone in the officers’ professional development.
He stated that the course is structured to produce agile, knowledgeable and decisive leaders capable of excelling in today’s dynamic security environment.
Course 10/2026 comprises 85 senior officers of the Nigerian Army, alongside two officers each from the Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force. The course also includes participants from Botswana, Chad, Guinea, Liberia, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Ghana and South Africa, reflecting the Nigerian Army’s strategic influence and leadership in advancing regional peace and stability.
The ceremony featured an inaugural lecture titled “Harnessing Indigenous Technological Innovations for Enhanced National Defence,” delivered by former Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (Rtd).
