Army chief Waidi Shaibu has charged participants of the Army War College Nigeria Course 10/2026 to embrace innovation and leverage indigenous technological solutions to enhance national defence.

Mr Shaibu gave the charge during the course inauguration on Friday in Abuja. He explained that the college remains a vital pillar of the Nigerian Army’s professional military education system, bridging the gap between tactical and strategic operations.

Mr Shaibu noted that participants, drawn from the army, navy, air force, and allied countries, are being groomed to translate national and military strategic objectives into effective operational plans.

He underscored the importance of homegrown research and development, urging officers to foster innovation within their formations and integrate locally developed solutions into operational activities.

“As operational-level commanders, you must play vital roles in fostering innovation in your troops and articulating research and development efforts within your areas of deployment,” Mr Shaibu said.

Highlighting the army’s commitment to confronting terrorism and insurgency, Mr Shaibu stressed the need for officers to adopt adaptive and radical approaches in addressing complex security challenges.

Mr Shaibu urged participants to question assumptions, broaden perspectives, and deepen their understanding of leadership, warfare, and strategy.

The army chief also commended the commandant, faculty, and staff of the college for their professionalism, describing them as key drivers in shaping the intellectual capacity and ethical foundations of the army’s future leaders.

He reaffirmed the college’s role in advancing his command philosophy of a professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient force.

The inaugural lecture, titled ‘Harnessing Indigenous Technological Innovations for Enhanced National Defence’, was delivered by former defence Abayomi Olonisakin.

Mr Olonisakin provided participants with strategic insights on leveraging local solutions for national security.

(NAN)