The Nigerian Army has unveiled an intelligence-driven and technology-enabled strategy aimed at addressing evolving security challenges across the country, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, announced on Tuesday, 3 February 2026.
Shaibu disclosed this while delivering a strategic lecture to participants of Course 34 at the National Defence College (NDC), Nigeria, titled “Combating Asymmetric Threats to National Security in Nigeria: The Nigerian Army in Perspective.”
He noted a shift from traditional state-centred conflicts to complex intra-state threats posed by terrorists, insurgents, bandits, cybercriminals and transnational crime networks, explaining that such groups exploit governance gaps, societal vulnerabilities and emerging technologies to weaken public confidence and state authority.
According to the COAS, the Army’s response must be proactive, adaptive and intelligence-led, adding that the service has recalibrated its operational doctrine and force posture through a multi-domain approach that combines decisive military action with intelligence fusion, inter-agency cooperation, joint operations with sister services and strengthened international partnerships.
He outlined region-specific operations, including sustained counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East, intensified joint operations against banditry in the North-West, and stabilisation initiatives in the North-Central aimed at protecting civilians and containing communal conflicts.
Shaibu also highlighted the growing role of advanced technology, enhanced training and deeper collaboration with other security agencies in improving operational effectiveness.
He added that modern national security now extends beyond territorial defence to include economic security, cyber resilience, environmental stability and human security.
The Army Chief urged participants of NDC Course 34—described as the nation’s future strategic leaders—to adopt integrated security frameworks that address both immediate threats and underlying causes.
He reassured Nigerians of the Army’s continued commitment to defending the country’s sovereignty, protecting lives and securing critical national infrastructure.
