By Augustine Ehikioya
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reiterated that realistic and mission-oriented training remains critical to achieving superior operational outcomes across all theatres of operation.
The COAS made the remark while delivering his opening remarks at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Conference 2026, convened to formally commence Nigerian Army training activities for the year.
Lieutenant General Shaibu, in a statement by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director Army Public Relations, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), warned that failure to adequately and realistically train officers and soldiers for their assigned missions would inevitably undermine operational effectiveness.
He stressed that the evolving and increasingly complex security environment demands an Army that is professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient.
According to the Army Chief, the conference is designed to foster robust and forward-looking deliberations on aligning training, doctrine and operational concepts in response to contemporary and emerging security challenges.
He noted that Army Headquarters remains focused on sound policy formulation and mission-specific, holistic training in line with his Command Philosophy.
The COAS charged Commandants and leaders of training institutions to internalise this philosophy and translate it into practical outcomes by producing combat-ready, resilient and adaptable troops capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency environments.
He further observed that the theme of the conference, “Enhancing Nigerian Army Operational Outcomes Through Effective Training and Doctrine Implementation,” is both apt and timely, stressing that doctrine must continue to guide training, planning and the execution of operations across all formations.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged participants to relate conference presentations to real operational experiences, with a view to improving the Army’s capacity to counter terrorism, insurgency and other contemporary security threats.
The Army Chief placed particular emphasis on Exercise MUGUN BUGU, describing it as the hallmark of Nigerian Army training activities.
He stated that the exercise remains central to validating doctrinal principles and assessing operational readiness, while calling for greater realism in training scenarios.
“This includes the integration of IED threats, EOD procedures and the expanded use of simulators to enhance proficiency and cost-effectiveness.
“While acknowledging the sacrifices of Nigerian Army personnel in safeguarding national security, the COAS reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening fighting power, improving welfare and administration and providing purposeful leadership to confront all threats to the peace and security of the nation.”
He also commended past Commanders of the Training and Doctrine Command, retired senior officers and the incumbent TRADOC leadership for their contributions to the development of the Nigerian Army.
The COAS equally appreciated the resource persons for their valuable insights, which he said would shape the Army’s training and doctrinal direction in the year ahead.
Lieutenant General Shaibu concluded by expressing gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his sustained support to the Nigerian Army, while reaffirming the unalloyed loyalty of the Service to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In his welcome remarks, the Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Nigerian Army, Major General Peter Malla, described the conference as a critical intellectual platform for setting the tone for Nigerian Army training activities in 2026.
He noted that the conference underscores the Army’s unwavering commitment to doctrine-driven, realistic and mission-focused training as the foundation for operational effectiveness, particularly in an increasingly complex and adaptive security environment.
Major General Malla emphasised that Nigeria’s prolonged engagements in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and other internal security operations have consistently highlighted the vital link between sound doctrine, effective training and operational success.
He reaffirmed TRADOC’s commitment to Nigerian Army Doctrine as the Army’s professional blueprint, stressing the need for doctrine to remain dynamic and responsive to emerging threats.
He urged participants to actively engage in conference deliberations, challenge assumptions and propose practical solutions to enhance training effectiveness and strengthen the Nigerian Army’s collective operational competence.
The COAS thereafter formally declared the Training and Doctrine Command Conference 2026 open.
