The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has stated that the Nigerian Army is accelerating reforms to transform the force into a technologically-driven and professionally adaptive institution capable of responding to evolving security threats nationwide.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Chief of Army Staff Bi-Annual Conference at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites (NACCAS), Abuja, the Army Chief said the service was deepening operational reforms around technology integration, troop welfare, combat readiness and institutional professionalism.
The conference brought together senior military commanders from operational, intelligence, logistics, training and administrative formations to review ongoing operations and assess emerging security realities confronting the country.
“We have had a series of presentations which culminated in frank deliberations, critical examinations of ongoing training and operations, as well as a review of the contemporary security environment,” the COAS stated.
Lieutenant General Shaibu said discussions during the conference focused on strengthening the Nigerian Army into “a more adaptive, combat-ready, technologically-driven and professional force.”
A major aspect of the Army Chief’s address centred on the military’s growing emphasis on technology-enabled operations as the nature of modern warfare continues to evolve.
The COAS disclosed that the Army had acquired additional Bayraktar TB2 drones while also reconfiguring Nigerian Army Aviation assets to support combat operations.
He also stressed that troop welfare remained central to his command philosophy, describing soldiers as the Army’s most important operational asset.
“Our soldier-first culture remains central to my command philosophy, as the soldier is the Nigerian Army’s most critical asset,” he said.
According to him, the Army has implemented intervention projects across formations to improve accommodation, healthcare, educational support and welfare packages for personnel.
“These intervention efforts were made with the realisation that a well-motivated soldier operating in a conducive environment will undoubtedly demonstrate higher morale, loyalty and effectiveness.”
Lieutenant General Shaibu further stated that the Army was strengthening professionalism, discipline and merit-based systems as part of broader institutional reform efforts.
The Army Chief said conference deliberations focused on practical solutions and operational improvements rather than merely identifying challenges.
He directed commanders across formations to ensure that resolutions reached during the conference translate into measurable operational outcomes nationwide.
“Going forward, I expect all commanders at all levels to translate the outcomes of this conference into measurable actions within their respective formations.”
“The true value of this conference will not merely lie in the quality of presentations delivered here, but in the extent to which these lessons are learned and the decisions reached here are implemented.”
The Army Chief also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support for ongoing military reforms and capacity-building efforts within the Armed Forces.
He commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and other security agencies for their collaboration in addressing national security challenges.
