Chief Of Army Staff Tasks Defence Advisers On Strategic Partnerships To Boost Troops’ Combat Capabilities

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged Nigerian Army Defence Advisers serving in foreign missions to leverage defence diplomacy and international partnerships to strengthen the Army’s operational capabilities and combat readiness. He emphasised the need to translate diplomatic engagements into tangible gains through strategic engagement to enable the Nigerian Army to expand acquisition of modern military equipment, advanced technology, training and critical logistics support for frontline troops.

The COAS gave the charge on Friday, 13 November 2026, at Army Headquarters, while receiving Nigerian Army Defence Advisers serving in various countries of the world. The COAS charged them to prioritise strategic partnerships that would facilitate access to critical military hardware, particularly ammunition and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and Unmanned Areal Vehicles to enhance troop protection and operational effectiveness.

Earlier, the team leader, Director Foreign Liaison, Defence Intelligence Agency, Major General Kingsley Nwoko commended the COAS for his transformative leadership and ongoing reforms, noting that the visit provided an opportunity to align defence diplomatic engagements with the Nigerian Army expansion, modernization strides and operational priorities.