The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has emphasised the critical role of robust administrative and financial support systems in sustaining military operations and ensuring mission success.
The COAS stated this on 10 August 2026 while declaring open the Nigerian Army Finance Corps (NAFC) Officers’ 15th Biennial Training Conference at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration’s (NASFA) Auditorium, Arakan Cantonment, Apapa, Lagos.
A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Shittu Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals said the conference is scheduled from 9–14 August 2026, and is themed “Leveraging Digital Financial Technology and Professionalism for Enhanced Troops’ Morale Needed for Mission Successes.”
The COAS who was ably represented by the Corps Commander Ordnance, Major General Garba Ibrahim, described financial support as a strategic combat multiplier. He stressed that timely budgeting, transparent resource allocation, prompt payment of personnel entitlements, efficient procurement and prudent financial management have a direct impact on operational readiness, troops morale and mission success.
Lieutenant General Shaibu charged Finance Corps officers to embrace innovation, accountability, fiscal discipline and result-oriented service delivery, ensuring that financial decisions contribute to operational effectiveness and personnel welfare in line with the Soldier-First culture. He also called for a modern, accountable and digitally enabled financial management system capable of supporting the Nigerian Army’s (NA) increasingly complex operational environment.
The COAS noted that the conference aligns with his Command Philosophy which is “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.” He therefore urged participants to improve their competencies in financial analytics, enterprise financial systems, digital auditing, cybersecurity, risk management and data-driven decision-making. He further directed the Finance Corps to align its processes with ongoing Federal Government public financial management reforms, including digital payment platforms, Treasury Single Account compliance, cashless payment initiatives, International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), implementation and improvements to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, while maintaining operational effectiveness and compliance with extant financial regulations.
The COAS commended the Corps’ efforts toward the automation of financial processes, improved reporting, strengthened audit mechanisms, enhanced internal controls, transparency and the timely payment of allowances and personnel entitlements. He cautioned, however, that digital transformation also exposes financial systems to cybercrime, identity theft, fraud and the manipulation of digital information, urging personnel to maintain high standards of information security, data integrity and professional ethics.
Earlier, the Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army) (CAB) (A) Major General Taofik Temitope Sidick, described the biennial conference as the foremost intellectual and professional forum for the Finance Corps to examine emerging developments in military financial management, exchange ideas and develop practical solutions to contemporary challenges.
Major General Sidick highlighted the Corps’ ongoing digital transformation efforts, including strengthening digital financial systems, improving audit processes, promoting paperless financial administration and enhancing accountability. He also underscored the importance of continuous capacity development, noting that Division Finance and Accounts Training Weeks and harmonised training programmes across Formation Finance Commands have enhanced personnel competencies in financial policies, IPSAS, internal controls, digital innovations and financial regulations.
The CAB (A) further disclosed that Exercise COWRIE RITES 2026, recently conducted at NASFA, provided an opportunity to validate financial support procedures under operational conditions and generate lessons for improved financial planning, coordination and operational support. He assured that the Finance Corps remains committed to supporting the NA’s transformation agenda through efficient, transparent and technology-driven financial service delivery. He urged the participants to actively engage with experts on digital financial technologies, financial governance, public sector reforms, cybersecurity, audit readiness and resource optimisation, stressing that the success of the conference would ultimately be measured by the application of knowledge gained to improve financial support and operational effectiveness across the NA.
The conference is expected to feature presentations and discussions on topical issues by seasoned and experienced resource persons, with an emphasis on contemporary financial management, digital financial technology, professional development and operational support. In attendance were senior serving and retired military officers, former CAB(A), and serving CAB from other Services, among others.
