The Army War College Nigeria has emphasised the importance of indigenous technological innovation, adaptability, and operational resilience in addressing contemporary security challenges facing Nigeria.
This formed the focus of the 7th Annual Nigerian Civil War Symposium held for participants of AWCN Course 10/2026 in Abuja under the theme: “Indigenous Technological Innovation in the Nigerian Civil War: Lessons for Contemporary Military Operations.”
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the symposium highlighted critical lessons from the Nigerian Civil War on innovation, improvisation, and combat effectiveness under constrained conditions.
According to him, both sides during the civil war demonstrated remarkable ingenuity through locally fabricated warfare systems, adaptive engineering techniques, and improvised logistics solutions despite limited access to advanced military technology.
The COAS who was represented by the Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major General Victor Emah, noted that operational success in modern warfare depends not only on sophisticated weapon systems, but also on the ability of troops and commanders to innovate and effectively utilize available resources.
He stressed that the lessons remain highly relevant as the Nigerian Army continues to confront insurgency, terrorism, banditry, and other asymmetric threats.
The Army Chief further stated that the Nigerian Army would continue to promote research, local defence capability development, and collaboration with industries, academia, and relevant institutions to strengthen operational readiness.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant of Army War College Nigeria, Major General Umar Mohammed Akali, described the Nigerian Civil War as one of the country’s most defining historical events, noting that studying the conflict provides important lessons in national unity, leadership, operational strategy, and post-conflict reconciliation.
Major General Akali explained that the symposium was designed to provide participants with a platform for reflection, scholarly engagement, and strategic analysis of lessons from the civil war that could inform responses to current security challenges.
He added that the symposium aligns with the Chief of Army Staff’s philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient force.
Participants of Course 10/2026 were encouraged to embrace critical thinking, innovation, and leadership under uncertainty as key requirements for future operational effectiveness.
