The Commander of the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) Kontagora, Major General John Sokoya, has called for stronger collaboration between NATRAC and the Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA) to deliver effective and realistic training to Army personnel.
Maj Gen Sokoya made the call during a familiarization visit to the Commander TRADOC NA, Major General Kevin Aligbe, in Minna, Niger State North Central Nigeria.
Sokoya explained that the visit aimed to strengthen the existing partnership between the two critical institutions of the Nigerian Army, in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) Command Philosophy to address contemporary and hybrid security threats in a Joint Operational Environment.
Describing TRADOC as the hub and think tank of the Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Sokoya emphasised its key role as the custodian of Army doctrine and its direct link to all forms of training that drive operational development and standardisation.
He further highlighted TRADOC’s essential role in the formulation and implementation of the Nigerian Army’s training directives, stressing that a strong and constructive partnership between TRADOC and NATRAC is crucial for delivering realistic, mission-specific training to troops.
The NATRAC Commander expressed appreciation to the TRADOC Commander for the opportunity to discuss strategic training initiatives, noting that NATRAC also provides a wide range of training for personnel from other security agencies.
“NATRAC is seeking TRADOC’s support in preparing for the next edition of EXERCISE MUGUN BUGU, the highest-level field training exercise in the Nigerian Army,” he said.
He commended TRADOC for its pivotal role in coordinating and successfully executing EXERCISE MUGUN BUGU I, II, and III—large-scale operational training events designed to test and enhance the combat readiness of Army formations and units through the training institutions.
In his response, the Commander TRADOC NA, Maj Gen Aligbe, described the visit as timely and purposeful, underscoring that collaboration between TRADOC and NATRAC is critical to the formulation of training policies that will enhance the performance of Army formations in the field.
He praised NATRAC for its commitment to continuous capacity building through realistic and mission-oriented training exercises.
“When you train together, you fight better together. Command and control become more efficient when units understand each other in the field. Joint training initiatives have greatly improved the Army’s preparedness in confronting the nation’s evolving security challenges,” he added.
Maj. Gen Aligbe also thanked Maj Gen Sokoya for making time within his tight schedule to visit TRADOC and engage in meaningful operational and training discussions.
Olusola Akintonde