Civil Society Organization Applauds Army Chief's Transformative First 90 Days
A prominent civil society organization has extended significant commendation to Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff for what it describes as a remarkable transformation of the Nigerian Army within his initial three months of leadership. The group highlighted substantial improvements in soldier welfare, training programs, and the overall security architecture as evidence of decisive action.
Comprehensive Reforms Signal Strategic Military Shift
Nigeria Integrity Watch, in a detailed statement released on Monday, praised Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu for implementing what it termed "one of the most ambitious institutional reforms in recent Army history." The organization emphasized that the scale and speed of these changes indicate a fundamental shift in Nigeria's military strategy, occurring during a period of escalating security challenges nationwide.
Dr. John Nang, the organization's spokesperson, noted that since assuming office on October 24, 2025, the Army Chief has demonstrated exceptional focus on multiple critical areas. These include comprehensive welfare programs, enhanced training initiatives, strategic recruitment drives, and strengthened international cooperation frameworks.
Tangible Achievements in Welfare and Infrastructure
The civil society group specifically highlighted several concrete achievements within the 90-day period:
- Commissioning of new housing estates across multiple locations including Ibadan, Abuja, Benin, Jos, and Akwa Ibom
- Successful induction of 6,830 new soldiers into the military ranks
- Promotion of 105 senior officers to recognize and reward performance
- Complete overhaul of training programs across various military formations
The organization particularly commended the expansion of the Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers scheme, describing it as a major morale booster for frontline troops. This initiative now includes permanent housing support for wounded-in-action personnel, representing a significant advancement in military welfare policy.
Strategic Manpower Development and International Cooperation
Beyond welfare improvements, the organization noted substantial progress in military capacity building. Recent recruit graduations in Zaria and Osogbo were highlighted, along with plans to train an additional 7,000 soldiers at the newly approved depot in Abakaliki. These developments demonstrate a clear commitment to strengthening Nigeria's military manpower.
The statement also welcomed the Army's enhanced cooperation with international partners, particularly the United States and Switzerland. These collaborations focus on critical areas including intelligence sharing, capacity building initiatives, and frontline medical support systems.
Intelligence-Led Operations and Modern Warfare Focus
According to the civil society assessment, General Shaibu's emphasis on intelligence-led operations represents a sophisticated understanding of contemporary security threats. The organization noted improved inter-agency collaboration and modern warfare training as evidence of strategic thinking aligned with evolving security challenges.
While urging sustained implementation of these reforms, Nigeria Integrity Watch acknowledged that the foundation has been effectively laid. The group expressed optimism that improved welfare, enhanced training, and better coordination would translate into measurable security improvements across the nation.
The organization concluded by noting that Nigerians will be closely monitoring how these institutional reforms translate into tangible gains on the battlefield and improved civilian safety nationwide.
