The Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army has commenced the 2025 edition of its Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (WO/SNCO) Competition at the Shittu Alao Barracks in Keffi, Nasarawa State, with the 177 Guards Battalion emerging as champions in the weapon handling and shooting phase of the event.
The opening ceremony was held in line with the Nigerian Army Forecast of Events and Guards Brigade Training Directives for the year 2025.
Representing the Special Guest of Honour, Commander 4 Special Forces Command, Major General Hilary Nzan, the Chief of Staff of the Command, Brigadier General Murtala Abuh, declared the competition open. He emphasized that the aim of the exercise is to enhance combat readiness, foster teamwork, reinforce discipline, and evaluate the training efficiency of personnel at the unit level.
He described the competition as a critical platform for assessing the capabilities and preparedness of Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, whom he referred to as the backbone of the Nigerian Army.
Brigadier General Abuh added that the event aligns with the vision and transformation drive of the Chief of Army Staff, which is focused on developing a highly motivated, well-trained, and combat-effective force capable of executing joint and multi-agency operations.
“This competition is timely, as the nation continues to face complex security challenges. The Nigerian Army remains central to efforts aimed at ensuring peace and stability. It is therefore important for our personnel to remain physically fit, tactically proficient, and professionally grounded,” he said.
The opening phase of the competition featured several events including drill, endurance race, obstacle crossing, swimming, navigation, physical fitness tests, and weapon handling. Participants were urged to uphold the Army’s core values of integrity, discipline, and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
In his welcome address, the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Olusegun Onasanya, represented by the Chief of Staff, Colonel Abdulrahman Bello, described the competition as a crucial element of the Nigerian Army’s training and development agenda. He noted that it was designed to showcase the tactical skills, physical endurance, and marksmanship of personnel.
He added that the exercises were intended not only to build combat capacity but also to instill discipline, unity, and leadership among the ranks.
“The weapon handling and shooting drills are particularly important in sharpening combat effectiveness and enhancing leadership and decision-making under pressure,” he said. “This competition strengthens the professionalism and operational readiness of the Guards Brigade.”
A total of 14 participants from various battalions under the Guards Brigade are competing in the event, including teams from 7 Guards Battalion, Lungi Barracks (FCT); 102 Guards Battalion, Suleja (Niger State); 176 Guards Battalion, Gwagwalada (FCT); 177 Guards Battalion, Keffi (Nasarawa State); and Guards Brigade Garrison, Mambilla Barracks, Asokoro (Abuja).
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