The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged officers and other stakeholders involved in Nigerian Army projects to prioritise quality assurance, compliance and value for money.
The COAS gave the charge on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, while declaring open the Directorate of Inspections and Compliance Project Inspections and Sensitisation Workshop 2026 at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), Makurdi.
The five-day workshop, themed “Quality Assurance in Nigerian Army Projects: The Role of Inspection and Compliance,” brought together senior military officers, engineers, procurement professionals, consultants and other technical stakeholders.
Represented by the General Officer Commanding 5 Division, Nigerian Army and Force Commander, Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, Lt Gen Shaibu said military infrastructure remained critical to the operational effectiveness, welfare and morale of personnel.
He stressed that every Nigerian Army project must be durable, safe, fit for purpose and executed in line with approved designs, specifications and contractual requirements.
Army Chief Charges Officers
The COAS warned that the ongoing expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, coupled with the recruitment of additional personnel, would increase the demand for accommodation, training facilities, medical infrastructure, roads, utilities and workshops.
According to him, the expansion must not be judged merely by the number of projects completed but by their quality, functionality, sustainability and operational value.
“We must deliver not merely more projects but better projects,” he said.
Lt Gen Shaibu added: “A defective project cannot constitute success. Our objective must be to deliver the right project, to the required standard, at the right cost and within the required time.”
He directed the Directorate of Inspections and Compliance to establish a professional, evidence-based and standardised inspection system using harmonised checklists, clear procedures and objective compliance criteria.
The Army Chief also urged project officers, engineers, consultants, contractors and end-users to regard compliance as a shared responsibility throughout the entire project cycle, from planning to maintenance.
He said the initiative was in line with his Command Philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities.
The COAS further linked quality infrastructure to the Army’s Soldier-First Concept, stressing that durable and functional facilities were essential to the welfare and operational readiness of soldiers.
Earlier, the Director, Directorate of Inspections and Compliance, Major General Francis Omata, described the workshop as timely and strategic.
Maj Gen Omata commended the COAS for his leadership and stressed the need for increased project activities to be matched with uncompromising standards as the Army expands.
He said inspection should serve as a management tool for detecting deficiencies early and preventing avoidable project failures.
The opening ceremony featured technical lectures, presentation of souvenirs and a group photograph with participants.
