The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Waidi Shaibu has called on the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to intensify cadet training that equips officers to tackle contemporary military challenges.
The directive was issued during a courtesy visit by NDA Commandant, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
According to the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, the COAS emphasized that training at the NDA must be anchored in “purposeful leadership, discipline, character, courage and strategic thinking.”
He also stressed the importance of strengthening research centres, particularly the NDA Department of Military Science, as a strategic move to enhance the National Defence Industry and promote indigenous military innovation and self-reliance.
Shaibu further called for a curriculum revamp reflecting modern security realities, including night operations, physical conditioning, artificial intelligence, and other emerging warfare domains.
He noted that these initiatives would prepare young officers to embrace the realities of today’s battlefield, instilling the warrior ethos and leadership skills necessary to execute his Command Philosophy: “To Advance the Transformation of the Nigerian Army into a More Professional, Adaptable, Combat Ready and Resilient Force Capable of Decisively Discharging its Constitutional Responsibilities Within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.”
The army chief pledged his full support to the NDA in achieving these objectives and reiterated his commitment to producing officers who are strategically savvy, operationally capable, and ready to meet Nigeria’s evolving security needs.
In his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Olatoye thanked military leadership for their confidence in him and described the NDA as the “training factory” for future officers of the Armed Forces.
He promised to build on the foundations laid by his predecessors and requested continued support from the COAS to realise the Academy’s vision of producing competent, disciplined, and professional officers capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s security.
