By Victor Akaa.
The Nigerian Army (NA) has launched a week-long Manual Wargaming Workshop, codenamed Exercise MUNGAMA AIKI, to equip tactical commanders with practical skills in combat strategy and decision-making.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations Headquarters TRADOC said the workshop conducted by the Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA) in Minna, brings together commanders from across Army formations for intensive manual wargaming drills.
In his opening remarks, the Commander TRADOC NA, Major General Kelvin Aligbe, emphasised the importance of the training in strengthening the Nigerian Army’s tactical edge.
“This is not just another training exercise, it is a mission-oriented initiative to strengthen our tactical edge and produce commanders who can think decisively under pressure and adapt to real-world combat challenges,” he said.
Major General Aligbe highlighted the benefits of manual wargaming, stating it can help assess operational plans prior to deployment, potentially saving lives, time, and resources.
“Our duty is clear, to protect this nation, we must train harder, plan smarter, and lead better,” he added.
The Commander , who was the Special Guest of Honour , stressed the news for Commanders to be agike, innovative and result-oriented.
” We want Commanders who can think out of the box , apply unconventional tactics , and deliver battlefield results that matter. This is the kind of transformation that strengthens not just the army , but national security,” he stated.
He said the workshop is timely at the time the country faces diverse and complex threats ranging from insurgency, terrorism , banditry and cyber warfare, hence the news to sharpen participant’s judgement and response capabilities in real conflict situations.
He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Oluyemi Oluyede for his visionary leadership , noting that it has driven the Army’s professionalisation effort.
Earlier, the Chief of Doctrine and Combat Development TRADOC NA, Major General Jamiu Jimoh, represented by Brigadier General Muhammed Abubakar, emphasised the significance of manual wargaming in enhancing operational effectiveness, managing risk, and fostering a unified planning language among commanders.
He encouraged participants to be fully engaged, open-minded, and committed to transferring the knowledge gained to their respective commands for national security benefits.
According to the statement, the workshop is expected to contribute significantly to the Nigerian Army’s doctrinal evolution and field strategy development
