Without Realistic Training, Army Risks Operational Failure — COAS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has warned that the Nigerian Army risks operational failure if officers and soldiers are not adequately prepared through realistic, mission-oriented training tailored to contemporary security challenges.
Shaibu issued the warning on Tuesday while delivering his opening remarks at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Conference 2026, convened to formally kick off the Nigerian Army’s training activities for the year.
He stressed that the increasingly complex and evolving security environment confronting the country demands a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force, noting that inadequate preparation would inevitably undermine operational effectiveness across all theatres of operation.
According to the Army Chief, the conference was designed to stimulate forward-looking deliberations on how best to align training, doctrine and operational concepts with current and emerging threats. He said Army Headquarters remained focused on sound policy formulation and holistic, mission-specific training in line with his Command Philosophy.
Shaibu charged Commandants and leaders of training institutions to internalise this philosophy and translate it into practical outcomes by producing resilient and adaptable troops capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency environments.
He noted that the theme of the conference, “Enhancing Nigerian Army Operational Outcomes Through Effective Training and Doctrine Implementation,” was apt, adding that doctrine must continue to guide training, planning and the execution of operations across all formations.
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The COAS urged participants to draw lessons from real operational experiences, particularly in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency campaigns, to improve the Army’s overall combat effectiveness. He placed special emphasis on Exercise MUGUN BUGU, describing it as the hallmark of Nigerian Army training and a critical platform for validating doctrinal principles and assessing operational readiness.
Shaibu called for greater realism in training scenarios, including the integration of improvised explosive device (IED) threats, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) procedures and expanded use of simulators to enhance proficiency while improving cost-effectiveness.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of officers and soldiers in the fight against insecurity, the Army Chief reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the Army’s fighting power, improving welfare and administration, and providing purposeful leadership to confront all threats to national security.
He commended past commanders of the Training and Doctrine Command, retired senior officers and the current TRADOC leadership for their contributions to the development of the Nigerian Army. He also thanked resource persons at the conference for their insights, which he said would shape the Army’s training and doctrinal direction in 2026.
In his remarks, the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Major General Peter Malla, described the conference as a critical platform for setting the tone for Army training activities in the year. He said Nigeria’s prolonged engagements in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations had underscored the vital link between sound doctrine, effective training and operational success.
Malla reaffirmed TRADOC’s commitment to doctrine-driven and mission-focused training, urging participants to engage robustly in the conference and propose practical solutions to enhance training effectiveness.
The COAS thereafter formally declared the TRADOC Conference 2026 open, while reaffirming the Army’s loyalty to the Constitution and appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his sustained support to the Service.
By PRNigeria
