COAS Pushes Technology, Welfare, Combat Reforms as Conference Closes

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has declared that the Nigerian Army is accelerating reforms aimed at transforming the force into a technologically driven, combat-ready and professionally adaptive institution.

This is also to determine its capability of responding to evolving security threats across the country.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Chief of Army Staff Bi-Annual Conference 2026 at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites (NACCAS), Abuja, the Army Chief said the service was deepening operational reforms around technology integration, troop welfare, combat readiness and institutional professionalism.

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The conference brought together senior military commanders from operational, intelligence, logistics, training and administrative formations to review ongoing operations and assess emerging security realities confronting the country.

“We have had a series of presentations which culminated in frank deliberations and critical examinations of ongoing training and operations, as well as a review of the contemporary security environment,” the COAS stated.

Lieutenant General Shaibu said discussions during the conference focused on strengthening the Nigerian Army into “a more adaptive, combat-ready, technologically driven and professional force.”

A major aspect of the Army Chief’s address centred on the military’s growing emphasis on technology-enabled operations as the nature of modern warfare continues to evolve.

The COAS disclosed that the Army had acquired additional Bayraktar TB2 drones while also reconfiguring Nigerian Army Aviation assets to support combat operations.

“Our investments in modern capabilities, such as the acquisition of additional TB2 drones and the configuration of the Nigerian Army aviation for combat purposes, are timely and strategic,” he stated.

“These force multipliers have significantly enhanced our surveillance, target acquisition, precision strikes and casualty evacuation capabilities.”

The Army Chief said the evolving operational environment requires greater reliance on intelligence gathering, rapid mobility and precision-enabled responses to security threats.

He also stressed that troop welfare remained central to his command philosophy, describing soldiers as the Army’s most important operational asset.

“Our soldier-first culture remains central to my command philosophy, as the soldier is the Nigerian Army’s most critical asset,” he said.

According to him, the Army has continued to implement intervention projects across formations to improve accommodation, healthcare, educational support and welfare packages for personnel.

“These intervention efforts were made with the realisation that a well-motivated soldier operating in a conducive environment will undoubtedly demonstrate higher morale, loyalty and effectiveness,” the COAS added.

Lieutenant General Shaibu further stated that the Army was strengthening professionalism, discipline and merit-based systems as part of broader institutional reform efforts.

“A deliberate emphasis on professionalism, discipline, competence and meritocracy will undoubtedly strengthen institutional integrity,” he stated.

The Army Chief said conference deliberations focused on practical solutions and operational improvements rather than merely identifying challenges.

“Rather than dwelling on the challenges alone, discussions were largely centered on practical solutions, innovation and on how to improve the Nigerian Army,” he noted.

He directed commanders across formations to ensure that resolutions reached during the conference translate into measurable operational outcomes nationwide.

“Going forward, I expect all commanders at all levels to translate the outcomes of this conference into measurable actions within their respective formations,” the COAS declared.

“The true value of this conference will not merely lie in the quality of presentations delivered here but in the extent to which these lessons are learnt and the decisions reached here are implemented.”

The Army Chief also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support for ongoing military reforms and capacity-building efforts within the Armed Forces.

He commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and other security agencies for continued collaboration in addressing national security challenges.

The conference comes amid ongoing military operations across the North-East, North-West and other parts of the country where troops continue counterterrorism, counter-banditry and internal security operations.