The Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) has completed the training of 175 Nigerian Army (NA) personnel of Nigerian Contingent 5, ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (NIGCOY 5 ESSMGB).
A statement signed by Captain Sinivie Oyaya Tamuno,,Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations MLAILPKC said the troops graduated Monday 20 July 2026, at the MLAILPKC’s Parade Ground, Jaji Kaduna, after completing the mandatory 5-week training programme. They are earmarked to be deployed to Guinea-Bissau as part of routine rotation of Nigerian Contingent serving under the ECOWAS stabilization support mission.
Declaring the troops fit for deployment, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Mayirenso Saraso, charged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and integrity in discharging their duties. He described peacekeeping as a mission that is beyond conventional military tactics, stressing that it involves cultural awareness, respect for human rights and interaction with host community. He urged them to leverage on the knowledge acquired during the 5-week compulsory training to guide their conduct when deployed in the mission area.
Represented by the Deputy Chief of Operations Peace Support Operations, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, he congratulated the troops for displaying uncommon zeal and resilience throughout the period of the training. He reminded them of Nigeria’s distinguished and impeccable record in contributing to the restoration of peace and stability in conflict zones across Africa and the world, urging them to be good ambassadors of peace. He equally emphasized the need for the troops to embody courage and integrity and to shun all forms of misconduct, particularly, acts of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Earlier, the Commandant MLAILPKC, Major General Dangana Allu, described the graduation as another significant milestone in the Centre’s sustained efforts in training of peacekeeping personnel for regional and international peacekeeping operations. He noted that the MLAILPKC has in the past 5 years trained over 2,500 peacekeepers that have participated in UN, AU and ECOWAS missions. The Commandant explained that the Centre’s curriculum was developed in line with the updated UN Core Pre-deployment Training Manuals and it is modified to suit operational requirements of the ECOWAS mission in Guinea-Bissau.
Major General Allu expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for his strategic guidance and for providing the Centre with the necessary support to carry out its mandate. He also commended the facilitators and instructors of the Centre for their hard work and ingenuity in ensuring that the contingent is adequately trained for their mission. The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Pre-deployment Training Certificate to the Contingent Commander.
