Ilorin: The Nigerian Army has announced its intention to enhance the competencies of the Nigerian Army Education Corps (NAEC) by optimizing its operational techniques, training manuals, and curriculum to address contemporary security threats. This announcement was made by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, during the Nigerian Army Education Corps’ Combined First and Second Quarter Conference held at the Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, themed ‘Revitalising NAEC for Greater Educational and Operational Relevance,’ also included the Third Edition of Research Development and Innovation Exhibition. Represented by Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, Shaibu emphasized the importance of the conference’s theme and its alignment with the army’s command philosophy of sound administration and professional excellence. He highlighted the role of the Education Corps in providing quality education and supporting welfare initiatives for personnel and their families.
Shaibu noted the corps’ significant contributions in maintaining war diaries, which have been crucial in documenting events and learning lessons to improve future operations. The exhibition allowed NAEC-administered institutions to showcase their innovative capabilities in addressing administrative and operational challenges faced by the Nigerian Army. These efforts align with President Bola Tinubu’s Nigeria First Policy.
The Army Chief assured efforts to address manpower deficiencies within the corps and the repositioning of command schools to enhance competitiveness. Brig.-Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, the Acting Corps Commander Education, remarked that the conference serves as a strategic platform for reviewing NAEC’s programs, evaluating reforms, and charting practical pathways to enhance operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency.
Ahmed also stressed the importance of the Research, Development and Innovation Exhibition in promoting creativity, indigenous innovation, and problem-solving. By highlighting research outputs and technological solutions, the exhibition underscores the corps’ capacity to contribute to military and educational challenges while supporting national development goals. He expressed gratitude for the COAS’s consideration in upgrading command secondary schools to Model Command Secondary Schools and a Model Command Technical School.
The acting commander expressed confidence that the conference outcomes would significantly contribute to the Nigerian Army’s transformation and the advancement of national security.