Nigerian Army Pushes Ahead with Digital Transformation, Says COAS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to digital transformation and the “smart soldier” concept as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness in an increasingly complex security landscape.
He made this known on Thursday, 19 February 2026, during a seminar organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Army Transformation and Innovation at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering Officers’ Mess, NASME Barracks, Makurdi. The seminar addressed digital transformation, the smart-soldier initiative, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and drug and substance abuse.
In a statement issued by Lieutenant Nkuma Mba, Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, NASME/NACEST, Makurdi, the seminar was described as a strategic platform to deepen awareness of the Army’s digital drive, explore how emerging technologies can enhance operational efficiency, and examine the impact of PTSD and substance abuse on combat readiness.
Represented at the event by the Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, the COAS observed that digital tools now extend well beyond conventional combat functions and have broad relevance across a digitised battlespace. He noted that leveraging such capabilities aligns with his 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.
Lieutenant General Shaibu emphasised that evolving security threats demand a holistic and forward-looking response. He identified PTSD and drug abuse as twin impediments to operational effectiveness, stressing that safeguarding the mental and physical wellbeing of personnel is as critical as modernising equipment and tactics. He commended the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation for convening the seminar, describing it as a reflection of the Army’s sustained commitment to readiness and institutional reform.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation (Army), Major General Olusegun Abai, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Transformation, Major General Ime Bassey, underscored the urgency of the seminar’s themes. He noted that the psychological, physical and technological demands of modern warfare require a deliberate approach that places the soldier at the centre of reform efforts.
According to him, the seminar aligns with the COAS’s vision of an Army empowered by cutting-edge technology and supported by strong welfare and mental health systems. He added that it was deliberately structured to address rising cases of PTSD and substance abuse through education, early intervention, counselling and strengthened institutional support mechanisms.
The event featured expert lectures by seasoned resource persons, interactive sessions, presentation of souvenirs and group photographs, reinforcing the Army’s resolve to marry technological advancement with human resilience in the pursuit of national security objectives.
