The Nigerian Army on Saturday inducted 5,876 newly trained soldiers into its ranks to strengthen ongoing counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and other internal security operations across the country.
The soldiers graduated under a revised training model designed to produce combat-ready personnel capable of tackling terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other emerging security threats confronting the nation.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this during the Passing-Out Parade of the 90 Regular Recruit Intake at the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, on Saturday. He was the Reviewing Officer and Special Guest of Honour at the event.
According to the COAS, “6,001 recruits commenced training, while 5,876 successfully completed the six-month programme and participated in the parade.” He said the recruits were “the first set across Nigerian Army training depots to undergo the enhanced training concept developed under the Army】’s RESTORE HOPE initiative nationwide.”
He explained the initiative was “informed by lessons learnt from ongoing military operations and aimed at ensuring soldiers were mission-ready from the beginning of their military careers.”
“The purpose is to equip young soldiers with the competence, adaptability and professionalism required to confront evolving security threats and effectively support national defence objectives,” Shaibu said.
He noted the curriculum was reviewed to place “greater emphasis on counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations, marksmanship proficiency and the application of emerging technologies in modern warfare.”
On the security landscape, the COAS said: “Nigeria’s security environment had become increasingly complex, requiring a force that is agile, technologically proficient and professionally grounded to effectively address contemporary security challenges.”
Shaibu explained that the RESTORE HOPE training model “combines advanced infantry skills, counterterrorism competencies, intelligence-led operations, joint collaboration and civil-military relations for operational effectiveness nationwide.” The recruits, he added, “underwent rigorous physical drills, tactical exercises, live-fire training, endurance tests and command-and-control simulations tailored to meet contemporary security and operational requirements.”
He commended the instructors: “The high standard displayed during the parade reflected the tremendous effort invested by instructors and training staff throughout the intensive programme.”
Charging the graduates, he said: “The successful completion of this training should instil pride and accomplishment. I urge you to sustain this spirit and uphold the core values of the Army.” He congratulated them for “perseverance, discipline and determination, saying they had earned the right to be called soldiers of the Nigerian Army.”
The COAS urged them “to remain loyal, professional and committed to the Army’s core values of courage, discipline, integrity and selfless service in defence of the nation,” and charged them “to uphold the warrior ethos of courage, resilience, discipline and professionalism as they prepare for deployment and future operational responsibilities.”
He also warned against social media misuse: “He warned the soldiers against the misuse of the social media stressing the laws were very clear; anybody found violating the rules would have himself to be blamed.”
Shaibu assured personnel of “continued support from Army Headquarters through improved welfare, enhanced operational effectiveness and sustainable logistics aimed at boosting performance and morale.” He commended “the commandant, instructors and support staff of the depot for successfully implementing the new training model and achieving its desired objectives.”
Source: NAN, Passing-Out Parade 90 Regular Recruit Intake, Nigerian Army Depot Zaria, June 20, 2026
