The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has underscored the importance of modern military training, professional military education and cadet exchanges in developing combat-ready, adaptable and interoperable armed forces.
A statement signed by Colonel Appolonia Anele Acting Director Army Public Relations said he stated this on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, during a visit to the Rwanda Military Academy (RMA), Gako, as part of his official working visit to Rwanda to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the Academy’s training standards, discipline and professionalism, particularly the tactical proficiency demonstrated during a Special Forces display. He stressed that evolving security threats demand innovative training, sound leadership and operational adaptability, noting that professional military education remains critical to producing competent officers capable of operating effectively in complex security environments.
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The COAS urged the Academy’s leadership to prepare for the first batch of Nigerian officer cadets under the proposed exchange programme. He advocated leveraging both countries’ experiences in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency to enrich military training, strengthen operational planning and enhance interoperability in addressing shared security challenges.
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Earlier, the representative of the Commandant, Brigadier General Bukenya, said the Academy develops professional military leaders through rigorous training in military tactics, leadership, discipline and physical fitness. He added that its programmes equip cadets with essential skills in peace support operations, operational planning and logistics management.
Brigadier General Bukenya welcomed the proposed training partnership, reaffirming the Academy’s commitment to strengthening military education and defence cooperation between Nigeria and Rwanda. The visit reinforces the Nigerian Army’s drive to enhance professional training, deepen military partnerships and prepare future commanders for the demands of modern warfare and regional security.
