Armed Forces Play Critical Role in Maintaining Regional Security, Stability

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged officers and Men of the Nigerian Armed forces to contribute meaningfully to the stability of Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

Represented by Major General Godwin M Mutkut, Commander of Infantry Corps, Nigerian Army, the COAS made this call during the Regimental Dinner Night for Junior Course 100 and Senior Course 47 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji Kaduna state Nigeria.

The Regimental Dinner, a time-honored tradition, embodies the discipline, etiquette, and esprit de corps of the Armed Forces. It serves as a reminder of the values that bind officers together, including discipline, loyalty, respect, and service before self.

The event also marked a prelude to the maiden joint graduation ceremony of Junior Course 100 and Senior Course 47, a landmark event in the history of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

The Junior Course 100 students have undergone rigorous training designed to sharpen their tactical acumen, leadership skills, and professional bearing. They represent the future of the officer corps and are now ready to shoulder greater responsibilities in service to the nation.

The Senior Course 47 students, on the other hand, have been trained in strategic depth, intellectual rigor, and operational mastery, preparing them to command and shape policy, doctrine, and the future of the Armed Forces.

The joint graduation ceremony reflects the college’s vision of synergy, integration, and jointness, principles that are indispensable in modern warfare. Success in today’s complex security environment is achieved not in isolation but through collaboration across services, branches, and levels of command.

The Armed Forces Command and Staff College has introduced new training packages designed to prepare officers for the realities of modern conflict. These packages emphasize critical thinking, enabling officers to analyze complex situations, make sound judgments under pressure, and adapt to rapidly changing operational environments.

The focus on air-to-ground integration reflects the growing need for jointness across domains, ensuring the Armed Forces can deliver decisive effects in battle and achieve mission success in multi-dimensional operations.

The college has also embraced technology and innovation as central pillars of military education. From simulations to digital command tools, these advancements are equipping officers with the skills to harness modern systems and anticipate the role of emerging technologies in future wars.

This prepares officers to confront Nigeria’s security challenges and those of the wider West African sub-region effectively.

“A landmark achievement in this transformation was the first-of-its-kind Exercise Haske Biyu, which tested the integration of new concepts in a realistic operational setting.

The exercise demonstrated how critical thinking, joint operations, and technological applications can be fused to produce coherent strategies against unconventional threats.

“As the graduating students prepare to embark on their new roles, they were urged to lead with integrity, decide with courage, care for their subordinates, and embrace jointness.

“The uniform they wear is not just a symbol of authority but a covenant of service to Nigeria and its people. The COAS expressed confidence that the graduating students would contribute meaningfully to the stability of Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

The event was attended by senior military officers, distinguished guests, and allied students from sister countries. The COAS acknowledged the resolve of these countries towards maintaining the African spirit of community and togetherness, appreciating their participation in the courses and the unique perspectives they brought.

The Regimental Dinner Night served as a celebration of the achievements of Junior Course 100 and Senior Course 47, as well as the enduring values of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The COAS expressed hope that the dinner would inspire the graduating students to greater heights and mark the beginning of distinguished service to the nation. With the theme of contributing meaningfully to the stability of Nigeria and the West African sub-region, the event underscored the critical role the Armed Forces play in maintaining regional security and stability.