The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger joint military operations, intelligence sharing and coordination among security agencies to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security challenges as the Nigerian Army expands from eight to 12 divisions.
Shaibu said the expansion was aimed at improving territorial coverage, strengthening operational responsiveness and preparing the Army to address emerging security threats across the country.
The army chief spoke on Monday at the graduation lecture of Army War College Nigeria Course 10/2026 in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, Shaibu stressed that the increasingly complex nature of modern warfare required the Armed Forces and other security agencies to combine their capabilities to achieve effective operational results.
He explained that the expansion of the Army went beyond increasing the number of formations and personnel, adding that the ultimate objective was to build a professional, adaptable and combat-ready force capable of responding effectively to security threats.
“The increasingly complex and interconnected nature of modern warfare makes it imperative for the Armed Forces and other security agencies to operate in synergy, leveraging their respective capabilities to achieve decisive operational outcomes,” the statement quoted the COAS as saying.
Shaibu noted that the effectiveness of the expanded force would depend on the integration of trained personnel, modern technology, actionable intelligence, efficient logistics and effective command and control systems.
He warned that the increase in troop strength and military formations must translate into improved combat capabilities, operational flexibility and measurable security gains.
The army chief also urged military commanders to adopt innovative approaches by combining intelligence, technology, information operations and combat capabilities across different operational domains.
He emphasised that professionalism, discipline and respect for the rule of law remained essential to sustaining public confidence in the military and preserving its institutional credibility.
Shaibu further charged participants of Course 10/2026 to apply the strategic knowledge and leadership skills acquired during their training to improve operational effectiveness, strengthen cooperation among security agencies and support the transformation of the Nigerian Army.
Delivering the graduation lecture, titled “Winning in Complex Security Environments: Reimagining the Nigerian Army Force Structure for Multi-Domain Operations,” a former National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.), called for fundamental changes to military structures, doctrines and operational strategies to address emerging threats.
Monguno highlighted the importance of integrating land, air, cyber and information capabilities in contemporary warfare, noting that technological developments were rapidly changing the conduct of military operations.
He identified unmanned aerial systems, artificial intelligence and digital communication platforms as emerging technologies with growing implications for military operations.
The retired general advocated sustained investment in technological innovation, intelligence integration, institutional reforms and continuous professional military education to prepare commanders for increasingly complex security environments.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, Major General Umar Alkali, commended Shaibu for supporting the institution’s efforts to develop operational-level commanders and strategic leaders.
Alkali said participants of Course 10/2026 had undergone rigorous professional training designed to improve their critical thinking, operational planning and leadership capabilities.
The graduation lecture formed part of activities marking the completion of Course 10/2026 and underscored the Nigerian Army’s commitment to developing commanders equipped to handle contemporary security challenges and fulfil the military’s constitutional responsibilities.
