Nigerian Army Rewards Officers For Excellence In Year 2026 Promotion Examinations

The Nigerian Army has honoured officers who distinguished themselves in various promotion examinations conducted by the Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA) for the 2026 Training Year, as part of efforts to promote professionalism and academic excellence among its personnel.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigerian Army Medal, represented by the Commander, Corps of Artillery, Major General Tariweriye Gagariga, stated this at the 2026 Nigerian Army Annual Merit Awards Ceremony organised by TRADOC NA on 30 October 2026 at the Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja Multi-Purpose Hall, Minna Military Cantonment, Niger State.

He said the ceremony was designed to recognise outstanding performance and encourage officers to demonstrate greater commitment, discipline and dedication in future examinations and military assignments.

The COAS disclosed that the Nigerian Army has embarked on massive infrastructural development across it training schools and institutions to provide conducive environment for effective training. He added that efforts have been intensified to transform its professional military education and training activities. Notable among these efforts are the establishment of the Nigerian Army Mountain Warfare School, with personnel currently undergoing mountain warfare training abroad and the upgrading of the former Airborne Wing into the Nigerian Army Airborne Training School to strengthen special operations training.

He added that the Army has reviewed promotion examination syllabi to reflect contemporary developments in global warfare to equip personnel with relevant skills and competencies.

The COAS charged Corps, Formation and Unit Commanders to strengthen mentorship and ensure adequate preparation of officers for promotion examinations, stressing that excellence in examinations is essential to career progression and the development of professional military leadership. He also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strategic guidance and support to the Nigerian Army.

He noted that this year’s Merit Awards is significant as it aligns perfectly with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy, “To Advance the Transformation of the Nigerian Army into a more Professional, Adaptable, Combat-Ready and Resilient Force Capable of Decisively Discharging its Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.” He emphasized that the philosophy driven by the “Soldier First” culture which recognises that personnel remain the Army’s most valuable asset.

Earlier, the Commander, TRADOC NA, Major General Peter Malla, in his welcome address, said the awards were intended to recognise officers who demonstrated exceptional academic performance and commitment in the various examinations conducted by the Command in 2026.

The awards covered several categories, including Best in Tactics, Map Reading, Leadership, Administration and Logistics, Military Technology, Military Law, Communication, among others.

Major General Malla urged the awardees to build on their achievements and sustain excellence in all assigned tasks. He thanked the COAS for his unflinching support, which enabled TRADOC NA to execute all its scheduled activities for the 2026 training cycle and appreciated Principal Staff Officers, Corps Commanders, Commandants and security agencies for their contributions to the successful conduct of the examinations.

The Commander also acknowledged past Commanders of TRADOC NA for their legacies and spouses of personnel for ensuring stability at the home front.

Delivering his vote of thanks, Captain A. Badmos, on behalf of all the awardees, expressed gratitude to God and to the COAS for rewarding excellence, describing the gesture as a practical demonstration of his Command Philosophy and a motivation for other officers to aim higher. He also appreciated the Commander TRADOC NA and all guests for honouring the ceremony.

Highlights of the event included presentation of awards and souvenirs to distinguished officers and group photographs.

Dignitaries present included the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, Corps Commanders, Commandants of Nigerian Army schools and institutions, heads and representatives of other security agencies, academics from various universities and institutions in Niger State, members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, TRADOC NA Chapter, family members and well-wishers.