By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Army has reiterated the need for intensified training to enhance operational effectiveness and sustain battlefield readiness across all formations.
The Director, Support Services, Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Isiaka Olatunji, said this at the opening of the 2026 Guards Brigade Corporals and Below Competition on Monday in Abuja.
Olatunji said training remained the backbone of military efficiency, stressing that no army could succeed in contemporary security operations without continuous skill development and rigorous field exercises.
He explained that the competition was designed to test the physical, mental and tactical proficiency of junior soldiers who form the backbone of operational execution within the Nigerian Army.
He said “we must train harder to ensure operational effectiveness. Training is not optional; it is essential for survival and success on the battlefield.”
According to him, corporals and below represent the category of personnel who directly execute missions in the field, often in close contact with adversaries.
“You are the ones who execute missions. You come face to face with the enemy at the tactical level,” he added.
The director noted that the exercise would strengthen resilience, discipline, teamwork and combat readiness among participating troops.
He said the Guards Brigade, known for its ceremonial and operational responsibilities in the Federal Capital Territory, remained a critical formation in the defence architecture of the country.
Olatunji urged participants to embrace the training opportunities provided by the competition, describing excellence as “a product of continuous challenge and discipline.”
He also charged troops to uphold professionalism and demonstrate high level of competence throughout the exercise.
On his part, the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Adebisi Onasanya, said “the competition aligns with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision of building a more adaptive, resilient and combat-ready force.”
Onasanya said the exercise would assess weapon handling skills, physical fitness and decision-making abilities of participants.
He added that the outcome of the competition would contribute significantly to determining troop readiness for operational deployments.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the annual Guards Brigade Corporals and Below Competition brings together units for intensive drills and tactical exercises, aimed at improving efficiency and professionalism within the Nigerian Army.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu
