The Nigerian Army has intensified efforts to build a technologically proficient, psychologically resilient and combat-ready force with the commencement of a four-day sensitisation seminar on digital transformation, the Smart Soldier concept, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) management, and drug and substance abuse.
The seminar, organised by the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, is being held from August 18 to 21, 2026, at Buhari Hall, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), Oshodi, Lagos, with about 560 participants drawn from formations, establishments and units within the 81 Division Area of Responsibility.
Declaring the seminar open on Thursday, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, represented by the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the Army’s technological capacity while enhancing the psychological wellbeing and resilience of personnel.
Shaibu said the rapidly evolving security environment demanded deliberate investment in digital transformation, human capital development and the welfare of troops, particularly as contemporary military operations were increasingly shaped by terrorism, insurgency, militancy, banditry, piracy, cyber threats and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
He stressed that the Nigerian Army must continually adapt its doctrine, training, command systems and leadership to remain effective in an operational environment driven by rapid technological advancement.
According to him, the growing application of autonomous weapon systems and other advanced technologies in modern warfare makes digital proficiency an essential component of military effectiveness.
He said the Army’s digital transformation agenda would enhance planning, command and control, intelligence gathering, logistics, administration and overall operational efficiency.
The COAS, however, emphasised that technology could not replace the human element of military operations, stressing that soldiers remained the Army’s most critical combat capability.
He said the Army’s “Soldier First” philosophy places the welfare and wellbeing of personnel at the centre of its transformation efforts, especially those exposed to prolonged and traumatic combat operations.
Shaibu noted that repeated participation in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations could expose troops to significant psychological pressures, with some personnel developing varying degrees of PTSD.
He therefore urged participants to deepen their knowledge of early recognition, intervention and management of PTSD while fostering supportive environments for affected personnel.
The COAS also described drug and substance abuse as a serious threat to military discipline, operational effectiveness and force readiness, charging participants to promote greater awareness, prevention and early intervention within their respective formations.
He directed participants to translate lessons from the seminar into practical measures capable of improving professional conduct, personnel welfare and operational effectiveness.
Earlier, the Chief of Army Transformation and Innovation, Major General Peter Okoye, said the seminar was part of efforts to actualise the COAS’s vision of a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient Nigerian Army.
Okoye said the programme was designed to identify and address challenges affecting personnel, particularly PTSD and drug and substance abuse, which he noted could undermine discipline, cohesion and operational effectiveness.
He explained that the initiative was not limited to the Nigerian Army, as similar efforts were being undertaken across the Nigerian Armed Forces as part of a broader drive to build more professional and resilient military personnel.
Also speaking, Babalola said the seminar was anchored on the “Soldier First” concept and focused on ensuring that personnel remained relevant to the transformation and innovation taking place within the Army.
He said the numerous operations undertaken by the Army had exposed personnel to difficult and traumatic experiences, making psychological support and substance-abuse prevention critical to building resilient and adaptable soldiers.
Babalola stressed that attention to the welfare of soldiers, both during and after operations, remained an important intangible enabler of professional military performance.
He added that prioritising the psychological wellbeing of personnel would strengthen their resilience, adaptability and commitment while enhancing the Nigerian Army’s capacity to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
