By Bako Christopher
The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has declared that effective data management and record keeping are now strategic capabilities that will determine the future fighting power and professionalism of the Nigerian Army.
Gen. Shaibu stated this on Tuesday while declaring open the 4th Edition of the Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary Data Management and Record-Keeping Seminar at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Abuja.
Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele in a statement, said that the seminar with the theme “Efficient Data Management and Record-Keeping: Imperative for Advancing the Transformation of the Nigerian Army” drew senior officers, academics and ICT experts.
Represented by the Dean, Faculty of Combat Arms Research, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major General Eyitayo Foluso Oyinlola, the COAS said the Army can no longer rely on manual and fragmented systems in a digital security environment.
“While we invest in force structure, equipment and training, the effectiveness of all of these depends on accurate, secure and timely information,” Shaibu stated.
He listed recruitment, commissioning, postings, promotions, welfare, logistics, force generation and operational planning as areas that stand or fall on the quality of data.
According to him, the modern threat environment demands integrated, secure and technology-enabled systems to ensure efficiency, interoperability and institutional resilience.
The COAS charged commanders at all levels to treat data governance, cybersecurity and records preservation as core professional responsibilities, not just administrative tasks.
Acting Military Secretary (Army), Brigadier General Mathew Oyekola, in his welcome address said efficient data management is the backbone of sound administration and institutional memory.
He noted the seminar aligns 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.”
Gen. Oyekola urged personnel to build a culture of accuracy, timeliness and strict compliance with SOPs, adding that “every report generated and every personnel record maintained contributes to preserving the institutional memory of the Nigerian Army.”
Delivering the keynote, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo (rtd) said career management can no longer depend on paper files.
“Accurate and reliable data directly impacts recruitment, postings, promotions, courses, appointments, welfare and retirement benefits,” he said, calling for sustained investment in data governance, cybersecurity and capacity building.
Gen. Shaibu commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support to Army modernisation, noting the President’s leadership has boosted operational capability, equipment, welfare and institutional reforms.
The seminar featured lectures and panel discussions on data governance, digital records management, information assurance, cybersecurity and best practices for enhancing career administration in the Army.
