Chief Of Army Staff Urges Greater Use Of Simulation Technology To Boost Operational Readiness
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu Nigerian Army Medal, has called for greater integration of modern simulation technologies into Nigerian Army training to enhance operational readiness, improve decision-making and strengthen the Army’s ability to operate effectively in joint, multi-agency and combined operational environments. The Chief of Army Staff made the call on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria Simulation Training Seminar held at Giri, Abuja. The four-day seminar, which runs from September 7 to 10, is themed “Harnessing Simulation Technologies to Strengthen Nigerian Army’s Roles across Joint, Multi-Agency and Combined Operational Environments.” Represented at the ceremony by the Coordinator, Nigerian Military Training Support Assistance Team, Major General UG Yusuf, the Chief of Army Staff described the theme as both apt and timely.
He further noted that simulation technology had evolved beyond being merely a training aid, but an important command instrument capable of supporting data analysis, predictive capabilities, threat assessment and testing of operational plans. He therefore encouraged the Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria to remain a hub for wargaming current and future operational plans, testing doctrine and refining contingencies through realistic and threat-informed simulation training. Additionally, the Chief of Army Staff urged participants to translate the knowledge and experiences gained from the seminar into improved wargaming, better-informed command decisions, refined operational plans and enhanced mission outcomes across the Nigerian Army. The Chief of Army Staff concluded his speech by thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, Commander- in – Chief for his strategic guidance and support to the Nigerian Army while affirming the unalloyed loyalty of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Thereafter, he declared the simulation training seminar open.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General, Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria, Major General MB Wabili, said the seminar was designed to explore the application of simulation technology and the impact of emerging technologies on Nigerian Army training and ongoing operations. He also noted that emerging technologies, including robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles, artificial intelligence and simulation software, were increasingly accessible for both military and civilian applications, thereby underscoring the need for the Nigerian Army to continuously refine its strategies and technological capabilities.
The seminar brought together experienced officers, subject-matter experts, resource persons and participants from the Nigerian Army, sister Services and other security agencies to examine simulation from different operational perspectives. As part of activities following the opening ceremony and group photograph, the Special Guest of Honour, commissioned a Virtual Firing Range Simulator Systems at the Land Forces Simulation Centre Nigeria, marking another step towards strengthening the Centre’s capacity for simulation-based training.
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