Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has pledged to leverage the expertise and institutional knowledge of military veterans to strengthen efforts aimed at addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would continue to draw on the wealth of experience of retired military personnel to enhance operational effectiveness, improve strategic planning, and bolster national security.

The Army chief noted that the country’s security environment has become increasingly complex, requiring innovative approaches and the application of lessons learned from past military operations.

According to him, veterans possess invaluable knowledge acquired through years of service in counter-insurgency operations, peacekeeping missions, and other military engagements, making their contributions vital to ongoing security efforts.

He stressed that institutional memory remains a critical asset in developing effective strategies to combat threats such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality confronting the nation.

Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a professional, adaptive, and combat-ready force capable of responding to emerging security threats across the country.

He also highlighted the importance of mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration between serving and retired personnel, noting that such partnerships would help strengthen the Army’s capacity and preserve valuable military traditions.

The COAS said the Army would continue to pursue reforms focused on professionalism, innovation, operational readiness, and strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders.

Security analysts have described the initiative as a positive step towards enhancing the effectiveness of military operations and ensuring that valuable experience gained over the years is not lost.

Nigeria continues to face security challenges in several parts of the country, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal activities, prompting renewed efforts by security agencies to adopt more comprehensive and sustainable approaches to tackling insecurity.

Shaibu reiterated the Army’s resolve to remain proactive in safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and protecting the lives and property of citizens.