The Nigerian Army (NA), through the Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes (DSSP), on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, convened a capacity-building workshop in Abuja to enhance personnel proficiency in protocol and liaison functions, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen joint and multi-agency operations in support of national security.
Declaring the workshop open at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja , the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, underscored the critical role of effective coordination, collaboration and seamless engagement with sister services, security agencies and international partners in addressing Nigeria’s evolving and complex security landscape.
This was contained in a statement signed by Colonel Appolonia Anele Acting Director Army public relations made available to newsmen.
In a keynote address titled “Navigating the Complexities of Managing Protocol and Liaison Duties within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment,” the COAS, represented by the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General Isa Abdullahi, highlighted the expanding scope of the Nigerian Army’s operational and diplomatic engagements. He noted that increasing bilateral cooperation and inter-agency collaboration necessitate enhanced competencies in protocol management, liaison responsibilities, and professional conduct.
The COAS further stated that the initiative reflects the Nigerian Army’s strategic commitment to strengthening national security through improved inter-agency coordination, adherence to global best practices and continuous institutional capacity development. He added that the training aligns with his command philosophy of advancing 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 environments.
He commended the DSSP for its forward-looking approach in facilitating the workshop in collaboration with subject-matter experts, noting that such engagements are instrumental in fostering synergy, deepening stakeholder relationships and enhancing operational effectiveness across various theatres of operation. He also acknowledged the sustained support of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s loyalty and unwavering commitment to its constitutional mandate.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Special Services and Programmes, Major General Aminu Garba, reiterated the Department’s commitment to continuous professional development. He noted that since its establishment in 2022, the DSSP has consistently prioritised the enhancement of protocol and liaison functions within the Nigerian Army. The workshop featured expert-led lectures and interactive sessions covering diplomatic protocol, liaison management, order of precedence and official etiquette, all aimed at strengthening joint operations and reinforcing public confidence in the Nigerian Army.
