“We must deliver not merely more projects but better projects”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, NAM, on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, declared open the Directorate of Inspections and Compliance Project Inspections and Sensitisation Workshop 2026 at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), Makurdi.
A statement signed by Lieutenant Nkuma MbaActing Assistant Director Army Public RelationsNASME/NACEST said the 5-day workshop, themed “Quality Assurance in Nigerian Army Projects: The Role of Inspection and Compliance”, brought together senior officers, engineers, procurement professionals, consultants and other technical stakeholders to strengthen standards in Nigerian Army project delivery.
In his address, the COAS stated that infrastructure is a critical enabler of military capability and that the welfare, morale and operational readiness of personnel are directly linked to the quality of the facilities in which they live, train and operate. He stressed that every project must be fit for purpose, durable, safe and executed in strict accordance with approved designs, specifications and contractual requirements. He further described inspection and compliance as command instruments for providing objective assurance on project progress, workmanship, cost and performance.
Linking the emphasis on quality to the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army, Lt Gen Shaibu noted that the approval to expand the Service from 8 to 12 Divisions, alongside the recruitment of additional personnel, will significantly increase the demand for accommodation, training facilities, medical infrastructure, roads, utilities and workshops. He warned that this expansion must not be measured solely by the number of facilities constructed, but by their quality, functionality, sustainability and operational value. “A defective project cannot constitute success. Our objective must be to deliver the right project, to the required standard, at the right cost and within the required time,” he said.
The COAS, ably represented by the General Officer Commanding 5 Division, Nigerian Army and Force Commander, Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, directed the Directorate of Inspections and Compliance to institutionalise a professional, evidence-based and standardised inspection regime through harmonised checklists, clear procedures and objective compliance criteria. He charged project officers, engineers, consultants, contractors and end-users to embrace compliance as one of the surest means of achieving successful and sustainable project delivery, noting that quality assurance is a shared responsibility from planning through to maintenance.
He reaffirmed that the workshop 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,” and with the Soldier-First Concept, which prioritises the welfare and dignity of personnel. “Quality infrastructure is not merely an engineering concern. It is a welfare and readiness issue. Providing durable and functional facilities is a tangible demonstration that we value our soldiers,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director, Directorate of Inspections and Compliance, Major General Francis Omata, described the engagement as timely and strategic. He expressed appreciation to the COAS for his strategic leadership and for gracing the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour. The Director noted that with the expansion of the Army, it is imperative that increased project activity be matched by uncompromising standards. He stressed that inspection must serve as a management tool for the early detection of deficiencies and the prevention of avoidable project failures, and urged participants to ensure that the knowledge gained translates into measurable improvements across formations and units.
The opening ceremony featured technical lectures, the presentation of souvenirs, and a group photograph with participants.
