The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed human capital development as a strategic pillar of the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda, declaring that sustained investment in education, research, innovation and emerging technologies remains essential to building a professional, adaptive and combat-ready force, capable of responding to future security challenges.
The Army Chief was speaking at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, during a meeting with the Governing Council and Management Team of the Nigerian Army University, Biu (NAUB).
According to a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS reinforced the Army’s commitment to strengthening military education as a core component of national defence capability.
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The engagement also provided an opportunity to announce additional institutional support aimed at expanding the university’s infrastructure, academic capacity and research capabilities.
Describing NAUB as a strategic national asset, Lieutenant General Shaibu noted that the university occupies a critical position within Nigeria’s defence architecture through specialised programmes in cybersecurity, cyber warfare, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies that are increasingly shaping the future of modern military operations.
The COAS also commended the university’s initiative to establish a Centre for Military Performance Management, observing that the proposed centre would strengthen defence research, institutional effectiveness and evidence-based strategic decision-making across the Nigerian Army while supporting continuous organisational improvement.
Demonstrating the Army’s commitment beyond policy declarations, Lieutenant General Shaibu approved an assessment for additional accommodation for military faculty and staff and disclosed plans to leverage the Nigerian Army’s partnership with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to construct a permanent Senate Building for the university.
He further assured the institution of the Army’s full support for the accreditation of its academic programmes, reinforcing efforts to strengthen its academic standing and operational capacity.
The syatement said the initiatives reflect the COAS’ broader leadership philosophy, which places personnel development, professional military education and institutional excellence at the centre of operational readiness.
“As security threats become increasingly technology-driven, the Nigerian Army continues to position knowledge, innovation and specialised research as force multipliers that complement conventional military capabilities.”
The Chancellor of the Nigerian Army University Biu, His Royal Majesty, Major General Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), Orodje I of Okpe Kingdom, commended Lieutenant General Shaibu for his visionary leadership and sustained support for the institution.
He also expressed appreciation for the Chief of Army Staff’s Commendation Award presented to him during the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2026 and announced the university’s readiness to host its combined graduation ceremony in October 2026.
