By Naseer Al-sirajdeen, Minna
The Nigerian Army says is committed to eradicating banditry and other security challenges in the country.
The Chief of Army staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede made this declaration during the opening of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) 2025 Conference on Tuesday, in Minna, the Niger State capital.
Lieutenant General Oluyede stated that the Nigerian Army has embarked on extensive training and retraining of its personnel to ensure improved combat readiness and professionalism. He assured Nigerians that the Army’s dedication to achieving lasting peace in the country remains unwavering.
According to the COAS, the conference serves as a platform for participants to engage in in-depth discussions on the implementation of the Army’s doctrine and training directives for 2025 and beyond. He explained that the theme of the conference, “Understanding Nigerian Army Doctrine for Effective Training within a Joint Environment,” aligns with his Command Philosophy, which focuses on consolidating the transformation of the Army into a motivated, combat-ready force capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.
Lieutenant General Oluyede highlighted four key pillars of his philosophy: Leadership, Sound Administration, Professionalism, and Combat Readiness. He emphasized that combat readiness is anchored on doctrine, which provides standard processes, tactics, and procedures for modern warfare.
“At the tactical level, doctrine guides actions with established drills, while at the operational level, it emphasizes operational art and design. While doctrine focuses on how we fight today’s battles, concepts are forward-looking, shaping how we adapt the Army for future challenges.” He said
The COAS further explained that validated concepts are transformed into doctrines, ultimately shaping the Army’s training and procurement strategies to achieve national objectives. He reaffirmed his commitment to realistic training, troop welfare, pragmatic equipment procurement, and maintenance to enhance operational success.
He acknowledged Nigeria’s security challenges, which include terrorism, insurgency, banditry, farmer-herder conflicts, economic crimes, and secessionist agitations. To address these issues, the Army has prioritized equipment upgrades and manpower development. However, he stressed the importance of reviewing training methods to match the modern equipment acquired and the evolving nature of threats.
The Nigerian Army Training Directive 2025 has mandated TRADOC to lead a paradigm shift in training, and the COAS urged participants to critically evaluate the current security environment and propose innovative training approaches.
“Since assuming command of the Nigerian Army, I have consistently emphasized enhancing the quality of leadership and instructors in our training establishments. This will ensure the right blend of competencies to drive the desired change in our training activities.”COAS
The COAS also assured participants that the Army Headquarters would prioritize the provision of accommodation, training aids, and welfare packages for instructors and students in training establishments. However, he called on these establishments to demonstrate commitment and provide valuable input to improve training outcomes.
Lieutenant General Oluyede emphasized the importance of rigorous training in peacetime to minimize casualties in wartime, stating:
“We must not lose sight of the fact that only when we train hard and right in peace can we be confident of bleeding less in war.” He added
The TRADOC 2025 Conference is expected to chart a new course for the Nigerian Army’s training programs, ensuring its personnel are well-prepared to tackle present and future security challenges effectively.
In his welcome address at the TRADOC 2025 Conference, the Commander of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Major General Kevin Aligbe, described the annual doctrinal gathering as pivotal for shaping training activities across all Nigerian Army schools and centers.
He noted that the conference draws inspiration from the Nigerian Army’s Proactive and Responsive Doctrine, which guides how the Army should train and fight. Major General Aligbe explained that the theme of this year’s conference, “Understanding Nigerian Army Doctrine for Effective Training within a Joint Environment,” aligns with the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) Command Philosophy.
The philosophy, according to the Commander, focuses on consolidating the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a well-motivated and combat-ready force capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency framework.
“This conference, therefore, partly fulfills the agenda of the training pillar of the COAS Command Philosophy,” Major General Aligbe said.
He emphasized the need for a tailored approach to training that develops the Army’s capacity to respond to Nigeria’s multifaceted and evolving security challenges. He further stressed the importance of collaboration with other military services, government security agencies, and non-governmental stakeholders to secure the country and foster prosperity.
At the national level, Major General Aligbe noted that the Nigerian Army operates predominantly as part of joint task forces or multi-agency outfits while remaining prepared to do the same within multinational forces under regional or global arrangements.
“The first step to achieving effectiveness within a joint or multinational environment is having well-trained and mission-capable troops. This responsibility lies with our training schools and centers, led by the commandants and Directors of Training Operations (DTOs), and is guided by current doctrine,” he stated.
He underscored the critical role of doctrine, which outlines how the Army is organized, trains, and fights. Doctrine determines the order of battle and explains how military forces contribute to campaigns, major operations, battles, and engagements.
He urged participants to inculcate the Nigerian Army Doctrine 2022, which includes the Army Manual on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Warfare. He announced that 10,000 copies of the manual have been produced and will be distributed through Army schools and training centers after the conference.
“Under the directive of the COAS to reposition TRADOC to perform all its primary roles, we have commenced work on a modified training format and are finalizing the manual for the employment of special forces. With the support of retired senior officers, the manual will be ready by the end of January 2025,” Major General Aligbe revealed.
He also expressed gratitude to the COAS, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for his personal and institutional support to TRADOC since assuming office in November 2024 as the 24th Chief of Army Staff.
“Before I conclude, I want to thank the Chief of Army Staff, senior serving and retired colleagues, and other resource persons for their invaluable contributions to this conference. I also commend the commandants of Nigerian Army schools for the success of Exercise MUGUN BUGU 2024,” he said.
As the Army begins training activities for 2025, Major General Aligbe urged all stakeholders to strive for even greater success with the next edition of Exercise MUGUN BUGU.
“Let us continue to raise the bar as we train hard to secure our nation and achieve operational excellence,” he added
