By Reportcircle Abuja
The Nigerian Army has moved to tighten the screws on officer training at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, issuing a blunt call for tougher, technology-driven and war-realistic preparation for cadets as the nation confronts evolving security threats.
Receiving the Commandant of the NDA, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, at Army Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, 26 November 2025, the Army Chief declared that Nigeria can no longer afford “business-as-usual” approaches to military training.
He insisted that the Academy must produce battle-hardened, intellectually fortified, and technologically aware leaders capable of operating across complex, multi-domain theatres.
General Shaibu emphasised that the future of the Nigerian military rests on an officer corps built on discipline, strategic thinking, courage, and character, reinforced by rigorous field exposure.
“Training must mirror the realities of the battlefield,” he stressed, calling for enhanced night operations training, intensified physical conditioning, integration of artificial intelligence, and deeper immersion in emerging warfare trends.
A key pillar of his message was a push for revitalising NDA’s research ecosystem, particularly the Department of Military Science. Strengthening indigenous research and innovation, he noted, is essential to powering Nigeria’s Defence Industry ambitions and ensuring self-reliance in military technology and solutions.
“A robust research culture is the intellectual backbone of any modern fighting force,” the Army Chief said.
Linking these reforms to his broader leadership blueprint, “To Advance the Transformation of the Nigerian Army into a More Professional, Adaptable, Combat Ready and Resilient Force”, General Shaibu pledged full support to the Commandant in reshaping the Academy to meet contemporary demands.
In his remarks, Major General Olatoye congratulated the Army Chief on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and expressed gratitude for the trust reposed in him to lead the nation’s premier military institution.
Calling the NDA “the training factory” of the Armed Forces, he vowed to deepen the Academy’s academic rigour, leadership moulding, and professional standards.
He assured the COAS that he would consolidate on the achievements of his predecessors while seeking the Army’s continued support in delivering officers who are disciplined, competent, strategically minded, and ready for modern warfighting responsibilities.
Both leaders agreed that a stronger, research-driven, and combat-oriented NDA remains central to Nigeria’s long-term security and the readiness of its Armed Forces.
