The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has tasked the Nigerian Defence Academy to intensify cadet training through leadership driven, character based and strategically oriented programmes that reflect current battlefield demands.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS gave the charge during a courtesy visit by the Commandant of NDA, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, to Army Headquarters, Abuja.
He emphasised the need to reinforce research institutions within the academy, particularly the Department of Military Science, describing it as pivotal to developing the national defence industry and expanding indigenous innovation capacity.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further advocated a curriculum review that captures present security realities, highlighting night training, physical endurance, artificial intelligence and other emerging warfare methods as essential development areas.
He noted that these elements are critical to producing officers who can effectively drive his Command philosophy which is to advance the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi agency environment.
The COAS reaffirmed his support to the Commandant and leadership of the academy to ensure future officers emerge operationally competent, strategically sound and mentally prepared to confront evolving threats.
In his remarks, the Commandant, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, congratulated the COAS on his appointment by the President and Commander in Chief. He expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in him to lead the nation’s premier training institution, describing the NDA as the training factory for future leaders of the Armed Forces.
He assured him that he will build on established structures and legacies while seeking sustained collaboration with Army Headquarters to attain the academy’s mission of producing disciplined and professionally capable officers for national defence.