The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked officers on the operational planning cadre to integrate advanced technology tools with timeless planning principles to ensure troops remain adaptable and resilient against diverse threats.

Declaring open the 2026 Operational Planning Cadre training for officers of the 2 Division, Nigerian Army, in Ibadan on Monday, Mr Shaibu said that to become combat-ready and decisive in modern-day battlespace, commanders must be masters of operational planning and fluent in the language of technology.

He said the training was designed to build upon the Nigerian Army’s foundational planning doctrines and prepare officers to meet the demands of modern warfare.

The COAS, represented by the commandant, Nigerian Army Signals School, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Mustapha, said the training would sharpen participants’ ability to leverage technology not merely as a tool, but as a central driver of practical, decisive operational plans.

The army chief urged participants to approach the training with utmost seriousness and an open mind and to engage vigorously in the lectures, practical exercises, and syndicate work.

Mr Shaibu also urged the participants to translate the knowledge gained during the training into superior plans that would ensure mission accomplishment.

In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, said the training was a strategic investment by the Nigerian Army in officers’ professional development.

According to him, the success of military operations is rooted in foresight, careful planning, and deliberate execution by both staff and field commanders, particularly at the tactical and mid-career levels.

“As senior non-commissioned officers and mid-career officers, you are the indispensable bridge between strategic intent and tactical realities on the front lines, and the translators of vision into action,” he said.

The GOC urged officers not to underestimate the weight of their responsibilities, noting that every operational plan has a direct impact on success in the field and on achieving mission objectives.

He said their ability to accurately assess the battlespace and adapt with precision determines the safety of troops and the security of the nation.

“This cadre training is designed not just to refresh your knowledge of operational planning principles, but also to equip you with modern analytical skills, sound judgment, and a shared understanding of the multidimensional battlespace in which we operate today,” he said.

The GOC added that the current operational environment was no longer purely conventional but also included kinetic and non-kinetic engagements such as counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, anti-banditry operations, peace support operations, and civil-military cooperation efforts.

“To thrive in these complex environments, you will be immersed in doctrinal reviews and scenario-based simulations. I therefore urge you to bring your frontline experiences to bear,” he said.

Mr Nnebeife thanked the COAS for his continuous guidance and support and for providing the resources required to conduct the training, as well as the resource persons.

(NAN)