The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has ordered sweeping reforms in training and intelligence as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the Nigerian Army’s operational and administrative structures, aimed at building a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the directive in his closing remarks at the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2025, held at Nebo Hall, Abalti Barracks, Lagos.
He said the conference provided a critical platform to review the Army’s operational and administrative performance in 2025 and to define priorities that will guide policies and actions in the year ahead.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS said the Nigerian Army would immediately realign its training, operations, logistics and administrative processes with his Command Philosophy.
According to him, the philosophy is intended to fast-track the ongoing transformation of the Army and strengthen its capacity to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency operational environment.
At the core of the reforms, the COAS announced a comprehensive overhaul of training curricula across all Nigerian Army training institutions.
He emphasised that realistic, mission-oriented training has a direct impact on operational effectiveness and success.
He explained that Army Headquarters, through the Department of Training, would drive mission-specific training programmes, with increased focus on Special Forces and Army Aviation to achieve desired operational outcomes.
Lieutenant General Shaibu added that the Army would introduce informed but bold changes to its training and operational activities in the coming year, including targeted interventions to strengthen the capacity of Special Forces institutions.
He further noted that intelligence briefings and operational updates presented at the conference underscored the growing complexity of Nigeria’s security environment.
In response, he stressed the need to enhance capabilities in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), cyber operations and technological innovation to effectively counter emerging and evolving threats.
The COAS said the Nigerian Army would continue to adapt and innovate, while leveraging the support of the nation’s political leadership in the procurement of critical military hardware and software.
He also highlighted the importance of fostering a culture of innovation at all levels of command.
On personnel welfare, Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed his commitment to addressing accommodation deficits across Nigerian Army barracks nationwide.
He disclosed that all ongoing residential accommodation projects have been directed to be completed and allocated without delay, while new housing projects would be initiated across formations.
He added that extensive renovation works would be undertaken as an interim measure.
The COAS also assured that post-service housing for soldiers remains a priority.
In this regard, he announced the commissioning of the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) Akobo Project and the Post-Service Housing Development Limited Shopping Complex in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Commending the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) and the conference planning committee, Lieutenant General Shaibu praised the successful organisation of the event and described the contributions of participants as robust and unprecedented, noting that they would significantly enrich future strategies and policy formulation.
He expressed the Nigerian Army’s appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his sustained support, and reaffirmed the Army’s unwavering loyalty to the President and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference 2025, which was declared open on Monday, 14 December 2025, by the President, brought together participants from Defence Headquarters as well as Nigerian Army formations and units across the country.
