The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has underscored realistic and mission-oriented training as the cornerstone for winning modern battles, warning that inadequate preparation of troops would undermine operational effectiveness across all theatres.
Lieutenant General Shaibu made this known on Tuesday while delivering his opening address at the 2026 Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Conference, which formally kick-starts Nigerian Army training activities for the year.
The Army Chief noted that Nigeria’s evolving and increasingly complex security environment demands a force that is professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient. He stressed that training must closely mirror real operational conditions to ensure officers and soldiers are fully prepared for their assigned missions.
According to him, the conference provides a strategic platform for aligning training, doctrine and operational concepts to address both current and emerging security challenges. He reiterated that Army Headquarters remains committed to sound policy formulation and mission-specific, holistic training in line with his Command Philosophy.
Lieutenant General Shaibu charged Commandants and heads of training institutions to internalise this philosophy and translate it into tangible outcomes by producing resilient and adaptable troops capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency environments.
Describing the conference theme, “Enhancing Nigerian Army Operational Outcomes Through Effective Training and Doctrine Implementation,” as timely, the COAS emphasised that doctrine must continue to guide training, planning and the conduct of operations across all formations.
He urged participants to draw lessons from real operational experiences to strengthen the Army’s capacity to counter terrorism, insurgency and other contemporary security threats. Particular emphasis was placed on Exercise MUGUN BUGU, which he described as the flagship of Nigerian Army training, crucial for validating doctrine and assessing operational readiness.
The COAS called for greater realism in training scenarios, including the integration of IED threats, EOD procedures and expanded use of simulators to improve proficiency while enhancing cost-effectiveness.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of Nigerian Army personnel in safeguarding national security, Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening fighting power, improving welfare and administration, and providing purposeful leadership to confront threats to national peace and security.
He also commended past and present TRADOC commanders, retired senior officers and resource persons for their contributions to the development of the Nigerian Army, noting that their insights would help shape training and doctrinal direction in 2026.
The Army Chief concluded by expressing appreciation to President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his sustained support, while reaffirming the Army’s loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander TRADOC, Major General Peter Malla, described the conference as a vital intellectual forum for setting the tone of Nigerian Army training activities in 2026. He said it reflects the Army’s firm commitment to doctrine-driven, realistic and mission-focused training amid a dynamic security environment.
Major General Malla highlighted that Nigeria’s prolonged counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations have consistently demonstrated the strong link between sound doctrine, effective training and operational success. He reaffirmed TRADOC’s commitment to Nigerian Army Doctrine as the professional blueprint of the Service and called for active engagement and practical contributions from participants.
The COAS thereafter formally declared the Training and Doctrine Command Conference 2026 open.
