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By Philip Nwosu
The Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Signals, Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, has officially retired from active military service after a career spanning over three decades, describing his journey as “eventful, impactful, and glorious.”
The retirement came following the appointment of new service chiefs who were drawn from Course 41 of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
This structure meant that all officers in the Army who belonged to the 39 and 40 Regular Courses became senior to the new COAS.
Consequently, a significant number of senior generals from the 39th and 40th Regular Courses were scheduled for mandatory retirement or redeployment to other institutions not directly under the COAS’s command, such as the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), or foreign missions.
Speaking at a valedictory parade organised by officers and men of the Nigerian Army Signal Corps, the outgoing Commander reflected on his tenure, accomplishments, and lifelong service to the Nigerian Army and the nation.
General Ugbo, who assumed duty as the 39th Commander, Corps of Signals, on 5 February 2025, expressed pride in the collective achievements of the Corps over the past nine months. He noted that under his leadership, the Corps recorded remarkable progress in modernising communication infrastructure, enhancing training standards, and improving personnel welfare.
He said: “We have effectively utilised available resources to remarkably upscale the communications infrastructure in the Nigerian Army. Communication support provided to all theatres of operation has significantly improved within the last nine months.”
The retiring Commander commended the ingenuity of the Corps’ engineers, programmers, and technicians, who he said “carried out installations under difficult combat conditions and developed codes and protocols that improved system reliability.”
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He further highlighted reforms within the Nigerian Army School of Signals, where most training manuals were reviewed to reflect current advancements in telecommunications, ICT, artificial intelligence, and data science. “Our aim was to ensure that troops remain abreast of contemporary trends in military communication and doctrine,” he stated.
On personnel welfare, he noted that several infrastructural improvements were undertaken, including the renovation of the Soldiers’ Club, Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess, and the ongoing rehabilitation of the Nigerian Army Signals Officers’ Mess. He added that new cooperative and welfare development funds were established to support officers and their families.
“We made deliberate efforts to improve the welfare and well-being of our personnel and their families,” he said. “Troops were routinely rotated to ease operational pressure and enhance mental well-being, while sporting and recreational activities were encouraged to promote physical fitness.”
The Commander expressed deep appreciation to the former Chief of Army Staff and current Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olude, for his support and belief in the transformative potential of technology for operational efficiency. He also extended gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, senior officers, colleagues, and his course mates from the 48th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy for their mentorship and comradeship.
Reflecting on his 37-year career, the Commander described his journey from a young cadet in 1988 to a two-star general as “scintillating, adventurous, and rewarding.” He credited his success to discipline, resilience, teamwork, and divine grace.
“It feels like just yesterday when, on 10 September 1988, I reported to the Nigerian Defence Academy as a cadet, filled with the desire to serve my country. It has been a remarkable journey—from a school certificate holder to earning a doctorate degree and rising through the ranks to Major General,” he said.
He paid tribute to officers and men who paid the supreme price in the line of duty, describing them as “true heroes who gave their yesterday so that we can live today.”
