By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has directed the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, to continually align its training curriculum with Nigeria’s evolving security realities in order to strengthen national security and enhance inter-agency collaboration.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the directive while receiving the Commandant of AFCSC, Air Vice Marshal Alfred Olugbenga Shogbanmu, on Wednesday, 5 February 2026, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS underscored the importance of professional military education as a critical pillar of Nigeria’s security architecture. He commended AFCSC for its pivotal role in producing highly competent officers for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, noting that the nation’s increasingly complex and dynamic security environment demands proactive and adaptive institutional responses.
The COAS observed that emerging threats across the country have necessitated strategic adjustments, including the establishment of a new Western Theatre Command to effectively address security challenges in that axis. He stressed the need for future-oriented training that reflects operational realities and enhances joint planning, coordination and execution among the services.
Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to sustaining support for AFCSC through infrastructure development and capacity enhancement. He described the College as a critical engine for the development of staff officers whose professionalism and expertise directly influence operational effectiveness nationwide. He also praised the quality of graduates produced by the institution, highlighting their strategic importance in strengthening command, control and coordination across the Armed Forces.
In his remarks, the Commandant of AFCSC, Air Vice Marshal Alfred Olugbenga Shogbanmu, expressed appreciation for the consistent support of the Nigerian Army, particularly in the establishment of a simulation centre and the rehabilitation of key facilities at the College. He noted that these interventions have significantly improved training outcomes and learning conditions.
Air Vice Marshal Shogbanmu reaffirmed the College’s resolve to continuously refine its academic and professional programmes in line with contemporary security demands, while further deepening inter-agency cooperation to support national defence and security objectives.
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