By Victor Akaa
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, said the Nigerian Army (NA) is focused on enhancing its operational effectiveness through equipment upgrades and manpower development over the past decade. The COAS stated this on Tuesday while declaring the 2025 Doctrine and Training Conference open in Minna, Niger State.
According to the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu in a statement, the COAS emphasized that the conference provides a veritable platform for in-depth discussions on the Nigerian Army’s doctrine and training, aligning with the mandate of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to lead the effort in shifting the paradigm in personnel training.
The conference, which commenced on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, brings together top military brass, field commanders, and principal staff officers to deliberate on the implementation of doctrine and training directives in the Nigerian Army for the year 2025 and beyond.
The COAS expressed optimism that the conference will thoroughly assess Nigeria’s current security and defense environments, critically evaluate the NA’s training curriculum, and propose new ideas on how the Nigerian Army trains and fights.
The COAS noted that the theme of the conference, “Understanding Nigerian Army Doctrine for Effective Training within a Joint Environment,” resonates with the COAS’s Command Philosophy, which is to “Consolidate the Nigerian Army Towards Bequeathing a Well-Motivated and Combat-Ready Force that can Effectively Discharge its Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.“
General Oluyede identified the four key pillars of his Command Philosophy as Leadership, Sound Administration, Professionalism, and Combat Readiness, highlighting the importance of doctrine within the Nigerian Army.
He reiterated his commitment to pursuing realistic training, adequate troops’ sustenance, pragmatic equipment procurement, and maintenance, stressing that these are critical requirements for combat readiness and operational success.
The Army Chief observed that Nigeria’s current security and defense environments are characterized by transnational and domestic challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and economic crimes.
Lieutenant General Oluyede stated that the Army has intensified efforts in training and retraining of its personnel to enhance combat readiness and professionalism. He assured Nigerians that the Army’s dedication to achieving lasting peace remains steadfast.
“We are determined to ensure that the Nigerian Army continues to contribute meaningfully to the restoration of peace and stability in the country,” he said.
Lieutenant General Oluyede appreciated the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his strategic guidance in the efforts of the Nigerian Army to defeat the nation’s adversaries.
Earlier, the Commander of TRADOC, Major General Kevin Aligbe, pointed out that the conference sets the tone for training activities in all Nigerian Army Training Schools and institutions, drawing inspiration from the Nigerian Army’s Proactive Responsive Doctrine.
He emphasized the importance of collaborating with sister services, government security agencies, and non-governmental stakeholders to secure the country for economic prosperity and development.
After inaugurating the conference, the COAS interacted with troops in Minna Cantonment, assuring them that their welfare is a top priority.
He guaranteed that he would address the identified challenges within available resources and urged the troops to give their best in providing adequate security for socio-economic development in the country.
