COAS urges Army Commanders to embrace innovation for combat readiness

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has called on Nigerian Army commanders to embrace innovation and creativity to enhance combat readiness.

He assured that the military would continue to create opportunities for junior and middle-level officers to develop innovative strategies for effective and efficient operations.

Speaking at the opening of a one-day seminar for junior and middle-level officers at the 8 Division Headquarters, Sokoto, Lt. Gen. Oluyede emphasized the importance of hard work, learning from past mistakes, and building on successes.

The seminar, themed “Enhancing Operational Effectiveness through Nigeria Army Lessons Learned Process/Feedback Mechanism,” aims to strengthen the army’s strategic approach by fostering creativity and efficiency in its operations.

“The seminar is crucial for consolidating our achievements and ensuring a well-equipped army capable of operating in complex and volatile environments,” he said.

He stressed the need to enhance officers’ capabilities, ensuring they remain combat-ready while minimizing operational errors, casualties, and costs. He highlighted the importance of both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in military engagements.

Represented by the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Maj. Gen. Olusegun Samson Abai, the COAS commended the 8 Division Headquarters, Sokoto, under Maj. Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, for its dedication to combating insecurity in the Northwest.

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Earlier in his welcome address, Brig. Gen. Olayinka Are, Deputy Director of Training and Examination Analysis at the Army Headquarters, explained that the seminar was designed to enhance officers’ ability to extract, analyze, and apply lessons learned from past operations.

“This initiative aims to improve operational outcomes, especially in the Northwest theatre, in line with the COAS’s philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army through sound administration and effective leadership,” he noted.

He emphasized that professionalism, effective leadership, and combat readiness remain critical to the army’s efficiency.

“The soldier is the army. No army is better than its soldiers. Training and developing our personnel remain a top priority,” he added.

The seminar serves as a platform for officers to expand their knowledge, refine operational strategies, and contribute to the Nigerian Army’s mission of safeguarding national security.

READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE