No fewer than two hundred and eighty-six officers of the Nigerian Army are taking part in the 2023 Captain to Major practical examination to test the proficiency of officers for higher responsibilities.
The examination would be based on global challenge of terrorism and insurgency, effective communication, logical reasoning and map reading among others.
The candidates would also be assessed in mental and physical fitness, communication and logical reasoning.
Addressing candidates and officers in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, south west Nigeria, the Commander Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army, Major General Kevin Aligbe, said officers would be assessed accordingly during the examination.
He therefore urged the officers to approach the examination with all sincerity of purpose, adding that cheating and other examination malpractices would not be allowed and that the examination remained necessary, especially in the face of the nation’s current security challenges.
The Major General explained that the current global security challenges, especially terrorism and insurgency had continued to be of great concern to relevant authorities and no stone would be left upturn to combat the challenge.
He added that to be qualified and promoted from the current rank of Captain to Major, officers must score 50 per cent in all subjects and 60 per cent overall aggregate.
“This practical promotion examination from Captain to Major for these 286 officers across the country and beyond is to evaluate their proficiency for higher responsibilities, manpower development, especially in counter-terrorism and insurgency,” he said.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Muhammed Usman, explained that the relevance of the examination towards building capacity for junior leadership in order to achieve national security objectives could not be over-emphasised.
He noted that the examination was meant to broaden the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of various aspects of military operations with emphasis on Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Operations.
“We are all aware that the aim of this examination is to evaluate the proficiency of this category of officers and develop their junior leadership capabilities for higher responsibilities in the Nigerian Army.
“I would like to state that your performance in the examination is a key determinant of progress in your career and it is important you all put in seriousness and determination to excel.“