President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare, professionalism, and operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army during the opening of the Chief of Army Annual Conference 2025 in Lagos.
The president pledged continued government support to enable the armed forces to effectively carry out their duties. He paid tribute to both serving and retired senior military officers, highlighting their sacrifices, leadership, and institutional memory as foundational pillars of the Nigerian Army’s strength and fighting spirit.
President Tinubu noted the presence of former service chiefs and elder statesmen at the conference as a testament to the army’s enduring heritage and professionalism. He commended officers and soldiers for their courage and patriotism, emphasizing that their sacrifices in defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and unity will be remembered in the nation’s history.
The conference serves as a key platform for strategic reflection, evaluation, and improvement in training, administration, and operations, especially in light of evolving security challenges.
Defence Minister Christopher Musa described the event as vital for reviewing operational readiness and aligning the army’s direction with national security priorities. He stressed the importance of joint operations, inter-agency collaboration, and a whole-of-society approach to address Nigeria’s complex security issues, urging commanders to ensure that conference decisions lead to tangible results on the battlefield.
Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu expressed gratitude for the president’s political will and strategic support, as well as the backing of the National Assembly. He reaffirmed the army’s leading role in combating terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and other crimes, noting ongoing efforts to transform the force into a more professional, adaptive, and technology-driven institution.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also assured the army of continued support.
The conference was attended by senior government officials, service chiefs, former chiefs of defence and army staff, senior military officers, heads of security agencies, diplomats, and other dignitaries. It aims to address key operational, administrative, and strategic issues to further enhance the Nigerian Army’s capabilities.
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