By Bavoriat Clara
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has emphasized that all Nigerian Army operations are intelligence-driven, with credible intelligence depending largely on effective communication with local communities.
Speaking in Abuja at the graduation ceremony of one hundred and fifty officers and soldiers of the Indigenous Languages Proficiency Course 7 of 2025, held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), the Chief of Army Staff, who was represented by the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General Lawrence Agha Fejokwu, underscored the importance of language proficiency to military effectiveness.
Earlier, the Director General of NARC, Retired Major General James Myam, explained that the Indigenous Languages Proficiency Course was conceived to support operational, administrative, and logistical effectiveness by equipping personnel with indigenous language skills.
He noted that the ability to communicate in local dialects was critical to strengthening trust and improving interactions with host communities across the country.
One of the graduating participants, Mrs. Hajara Adeola, described the program as remarkable, noting that the structure, pedagogy, and discipline of the centre made learning effective and rewarding.
She explained that within one month, she was able to gain a strong grasp of both Hausa and Yoruba, despite not having spoken the languages before.
Mrs. Adeola further highlighted that the professional teaching methods, daily class engagements, and rigorous testing allowed participants to gradually build confidence and fluency.
She stressed that beyond language acquisition, the program helped to deepen cultural appreciation and foster respect for indigenous communities and therefore urged that such training opportunities be expanded to benefit more service personnel and even civilians, as language proficiency, in her view, is fundamental to national identity, self-esteem, and progress.
Lieutenant General Oluyede, while commending the Nigerian Army Resource Centre and its partner for sustaining the program, stressed that mastering indigenous languages would further boost operational efficiency and civil-military relations.
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