Sokoto, Nigeria — The Nigerian Army has concluded a five-day intensive leadership course for senior non-commissioned officers serving in the country’s northwest region, as part of broader efforts to enhance professionalism and combat readiness amidst ongoing security challenges.
The training, held for personnel of the Army’s 8 Division and Operation FANSAN YAMMA, was organized in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC). It aimed to equip mid-level commanders with critical skills in leadership, crisis management, and emotional intelligence.
Speaking on behalf of the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Major General Bemgba Koughna, Chief of Staff Brigadier General Ibrahim Gambari emphasized that the initiative aligns with the military command’s broader strategic vision.”The course directly reflects the Chief of Army Staff’s goal to transform the Nigerian Army into a professional, adaptable, and combat-ready force capable of meeting its constitutional duties in complex, multi-agency environments,” General Koughna said in a statement delivered by his representative. He added that the training serves as a “strategic intervention” designed to address leadership gaps, reinforce discipline, and foster better coordination between the military and security agencies operating in the region.
Evolving Security Demands
The Nigerian military continues to contend with multi-front security threats across the West African nation, including banditry and kidnapping in the northwest and long-running insurgencies in the northeast.
Representing the Director-General of NARC, retired Major General Ifiok Obot noted that frontline leadership places a significant burden on non-commissioned officers, requiring heightened discipline and adaptive thinking.”The program is designed to enhance creativity, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking among military and paramilitary personnel to help them confront evolving security challenges,” Obot said. The five-day syllabus covered a wide range of operational and administrative topics, including:Tactical Leadership: Military command during crisis and active conflict; Inter-Agency Operations: Strengthening collaboration between security agencies; Legal Frameworks: Compliance with the Nigerian Constitution, the Armed Forces Act, and the military justice system; Digital Discipline: Addressing the risks associated with the misuse of social media by military personnel.
The training brought together prominent military figures and security experts, including retired Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman and academic Professor Okey Ikechukwu.
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