COAS Shaibu Tasks Soldiers on Discipline, Innovation as Army Establishes New Formations
The Nigerian Army has strengthened its combat capability with the graduation of soldiers from the Advanced Infantry Training Programme, Exercise RESTORE HOPE X, as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, charged the graduands to demonstrate professionalism, discipline and operational excellence in their new assignments.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the charge on Friday, August 7, 2026, at the graduation ceremony held at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATC), Kachia, Kaduna State.
The COAS described Exercise RESTORE HOPE X as the flagship of the Nigerian Army’s post-basic infantry training programme, designed to enhance combat proficiency, strengthen the warrior ethos and equip personnel with the skills required to confront the complex security challenges of modern warfare.
He said the graduation was taking place at a critical phase of the Nigerian Army’s ongoing transformation and force expansion programme.
According to him, the Army is implementing a comprehensive restructuring and capability enhancement initiative following approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, aimed at establishing additional divisions, formations and units to improve force disposition and operational responsiveness.
Lieutenant General Shaibu disclosed that a significant number of the newly graduated soldiers would form the nucleus of the new formations, stressing that they must translate the knowledge and skills acquired during training into effective operational performance.
He urged the graduands to justify the investment in their training by exhibiting sound judgment, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to mission accomplishment.
The Army Chief also charged the soldiers to maintain high levels of physical fitness, mental alertness and technological proficiency, while continuously adapting to emerging threats and embracing innovation.
He reminded them of the need to respect the rule of law, protect human rights and strictly observe the rules of engagement in all military operations.
Lieutenant General Shaibu expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support for the Nigerian Army’s operational, training and administrative requirements.
He said the President’s strategic guidance and sustained investment had contributed significantly to the Army’s ongoing transformation, stressing that realistic and mission-oriented training remained essential to developing a highly skilled and effective fighting force.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, described Exercise RESTORE HOPE X as a critical component of the Nigerian Army’s training architecture.
He said the programme had consistently produced highly motivated and combat-ready soldiers who had distinguished themselves across various theatres of operation.
According to him, the trainees were exposed to realistic operational scenarios, tactical operations, marksmanship, field craft, combat endurance, leadership development and counter-insurgency operations.
Major General Okoro noted that the training had also enhanced the soldiers’ confidence, decision-making abilities and battlefield competence.
He added that Exercise RESTORE HOPE X had strengthened institutional capacity by standardising post-basic infantry training, improving instructional methodologies and promoting continuous development across the Army’s training establishments.
