Army Unveils Land Warfare Wargaming Centre at AFCSC, Says Facility Will Boost Officers’ Strategic Planning
The Nigerian Army has inaugurated a sophisticated Land Warfare Wargaming Centre at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, marking a significant upgrade in the military’s approach to operational training and simulation-based learning.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, who presided over the Inauguration ceremony on Saturday, said the centre represents a major advancement in preparing officers for modern security challenges.
He noted that the project aligns with ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening professional military education across the armed forces.
According to the Army chief, the new simulation hub will provide officers with advanced tools for operational analysis, mission planning, and scenario-based exercises designed to mimic real battlefield conditions.
He added that the centre is equipped to support joint operations training, strategic decision-making, crisis response, and mission rehearsal for complex operations.
Shaibu commended AFCSC for its long-standing reputation as a premier institution for grooming mid-level commanders, stressing that the wargaming facility will further enhance the college’s ability to produce officers capable of managing today’s evolving threat landscape.
As an alumnus of the institution, he expressed satisfaction with the steady improvements in infrastructure and instructional capacity.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the Department of Land Warfare and praised the college’s leadership for ensuring the timely completion of the project.
According to him, the centre complements other operational facilities within the college and will contribute to a more integrated training system for land, air, and maritime operations.
The COAS extended appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for continued support to the armed forces, noting that recent investments in training and equipment are critical to strengthening national security.
He also recognised the contributions of directing staff, administrative personnel and the broader college community for their roles in sustaining high standards of military education.
Shaibu urged student officers to maximise the opportunities offered by the new centre, noting that the facility will sharpen their understanding of operational art, logistics planning, battlefield coordination, and other components vital to successful military campaigns.
College officials reaffirmed their commitment to integrating the wargaming centre into course curricula, explaining that the facility is designed to reinforce experiential learning and promote analytical thinking among participants. They emphasised that simulation-based training is increasingly essential as the character of warfare becomes more technologically driven and unpredictable.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior officers, faculty members, and other dignitaries, who lauded the project as a timely addition to Nigeria’s defence education ecosystem.
With the completion of the centre, AFCSC is expected to further solidify its role as a regional hub for advanced military training.
