Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for stronger military training, professional military education and cadet exchange programmes between Nigeria and Rwanda to enhance operational effectiveness and prepare officers for emerging security challenges.
Shaibu made the call on Tuesday, during a visit to the Rwanda Military Academy (RMA), Gako, as part of his official working visit to Rwanda aimed at strengthening bilateral defence cooperation between both countries.
The Army Chief stressed that modern military operations require well-trained officers, effective leadership and the ability to adapt to evolving security threats.
He commended the academy for its training standards, discipline and professionalism, particularly the tactical proficiency demonstrated during a Special Forces display.
According to him, professional military education remains critical to producing combat-ready officers capable of operating effectively in complex security environments.
Shaibu also urged the academy’s leadership to make adequate preparations for the first batch of Nigerian officer cadets expected to participate in the proposed exchange programme.
He said the partnership would provide an opportunity for both countries to draw on their respective experiences in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations to improve military training, operational planning and interoperability.
The COAS noted that closer collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the Rwanda Military Academy would strengthen the professional development of future military leaders and improve their capacity to respond to shared security challenges.
Earlier, the representative of the academy’s Commandant, Brigadier General Bukenya, said the institution was committed to developing professional military leaders through rigorous training in military tactics, leadership, discipline and physical fitness.
He explained that the academy’s programmes also equipped cadets with essential competencies in peace support operations, operational planning and logistics management.
Bukenya welcomed the proposed training partnership with Nigeria, reaffirming the academy’s commitment to strengthening military education and defence cooperation between the two countries.
The visit underscores the Nigerian Army’s efforts to expand international military partnerships, improve professional training and equip future commanders with the knowledge and operational skills required to address the complexities of modern warfare and regional security.
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