THE Nigerian Army has acquired additional drones and other military platforms described as force multipliers aimed at significantly improving surveillance, target acquisition, precision strikes and casualty evacuation operations across the country.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this at the close of the three-day First Bi-Annual Chief of Army Staff Conference 2026.
According to him, the changing nature of contemporary security threats requires the Nigerian Army to remain proactive, adaptive and innovative in its operational approach.
Shaibu noted that the newly acquired platforms had already contributed to recent operational successes recorded in the North-East theatre of operations.
Speaking during the opening of the conference earlier, the Army Chief had attributed part of the military’s recent gains against insurgents in the North-East to the deployment of the new platforms.
He directed commanders at all levels to ensure that the resolutions and lessons from the conference are translated into practical and measurable actions within their various formations.
According to the COAS, the success of the conference would not be judged solely by the quality of presentations delivered but by how effectively the decisions reached are implemented.
“The true value of this conference will not merely lie in the quality of presentations delivered, but in the extent to which these lessons are learned and the decisions reached are implemented,” he said.
Shaibu also stressed the need to sustain the current momentum of transformation and institution-building within the Nigerian Army for the benefit of future generations.
On troops’ welfare, the Army Chief reaffirmed that the soldier-first culture remains a key part of his command philosophy, describing soldiers as the Army’s most critical asset.
He said discussions at the conference focused on welfare programmes including timely payment of entitlements, improved healthcare services, educational support and enhanced welfare packages for personnel.
According to him, such welfare initiatives would significantly improve the combat effectiveness of troops.
“We must therefore continue to prioritise the well-being of our personnel and their families,” he said.
The COAS further disclosed that several direct intervention projects are ongoing across Nigerian Army formations to improve working and living conditions for personnel.
He explained that the projects are aimed at strengthening operational readiness, noting that motivated soldiers operating in conducive environments are more likely to demonstrate loyalty, high morale and effectiveness.
Shaibu said one of the major outcomes of the conference was a renewed commitment to institutional accountability and the strengthening of professional standards and performance assessment mechanisms within the Army.
“I have carefully observed the depth of contributions during this conference and I’m particularly encouraged by the maturity, sincerity and the strategic focus that characterise our engagements,” he stated.
“Specifically, rather than dwelling on the challenges alone, discussions were largely centred on practical solutions, innovation and on how to improve the Nigerian Army.”
The Army Chief also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the Armed Forces and the Nigerian Army.
“Finally, on behalf of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, I wish to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his unflinching support, strategic guidance and commitment to strengthening the capacity of the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces in general,” he said.
“His continuous support has enabled many of the transformative initiatives that we are witnessing across the Nigerian Army.”