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By Philip Nwosu
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has announced a comprehensive overhaul of the Nigerian Army’s training, operational and administrative structures as part of renewed efforts to build a more professional, combat-ready and resilient force.
Lt Gen Oluyede disclosed this on Thursday at the close of the 2025 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Lagos, explaining that the conference provided a critical platform to review the Army’s operational and administrative performance in 2025 and to consolidate plans for the year ahead, noting that discussions over the past few days were robust and far-reaching.
“The extensive deliberations we have had on administration, training and operations have broadened our collective understanding of our progress, setbacks and aspirations for the coming year,” the Army chief said.
According to him, the Nigerian Army will immediately begin to realign its training, operations, logistics and administrative processes with his command philosophy, which seeks to transform the force into a professional, adaptable and resilient Army capable of discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
As part of the reforms, Lt Gen Oluyede announced plans for a total overhaul of training curricula across all Nigerian Army schools, stressing that realistic and mission-focused training directly influences operational outcomes.
He said the Army Headquarters, through the Department of Training, would drive mission-specific programmes, while special emphasis would be placed on Special Forces and Army Aviation training to meet evolving security demands.
The Army chief also highlighted the growing complexity of Nigeria’s operating environment, citing intelligence briefings and operational updates presented at the conference.
He noted that the changing threat landscape would require enhanced capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance and cyber operations, as well as continuous adaptation to regional instability and global shifts in the character of warfare.
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Lt Gen Oluyede said the Army would continue to leverage the support of the political leadership in the procurement of military hardware and software, while promoting a culture of innovation and technological integration at all levels.
On troops’ welfare, the Army chief reiterated his commitment to addressing accommodation shortages across barracks nationwide.
He disclosed that all ongoing residential accommodation projects would be completed and allocated promptly, while new housing projects would be initiated across Army formations. As an interim measure, he said the Army would intensify renovation works in existing barracks.
Lt Gen Oluyede further announced that he would be in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday for the commissioning of the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) Akobo Project, alongside the Post-Service Housing Development Limited Shopping Complex in Eleyele.
He said post-service housing for soldiers would remain a top priority under his leadership, with ongoing projects receiving sustained attention.
Commending the organisers of the conference, Lt Gen Oluyede praised the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) and his team, as well as participants, for what he described as unprecedented contributions that would shape future strategies and policies.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his sustained support to the Nigerian Army, reaffirming the Army’s loyalty to the Commander-in-Chief and its commitment to national defence and security.
The COAS formally declared the 2025 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference closed and invited participants to the maiden passing-out parade of recruits from the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, scheduled for 20 December.
