Army Chief Vows to Ensure Troops Are Well-Kitted and Combat-Ready
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has assured that Nigerian soldiers deployed on operations will henceforth be adequately kitted and equipped for duty.
Speaking during the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025 lecture held at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Auditorium in Kaduna, Gen Oluyede emphasized that enhancing the combat readiness of the Nigerian Army begins with ensuring that personnel are provided with the tools necessary to perform optimally in today’s complex security environment.
"We are committed to ensuring that every Nigerian soldier on operational duty is properly kitted and equipped,” the Army Chief said. “Going forward, our troops will be provided with the right uniforms, protective gear such as helmets and fragmentation jackets, night vision goggles, as well as the appropriate weapons and other vital combat enablers."
Gen Oluyede stressed that equipping soldiers adequately is not only a matter of logistics but also a crucial step in boosting morale, improving operational effectiveness, and ultimately, achieving national security objectives.
The Army Chief’s remarks align with the thrust of the keynote address delivered by former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya (rtd), who advocated for the institutionalization of the "Soldier First Concept." According to him, placing the welfare and wellbeing of soldiers at the heart of military planning and administration is the key to building a cohesive, resilient, and combat-effective force.
“The ‘Soldier First’ philosophy is about making our personnel feel valued and protected,” Gen Yahaya said. “A soldier who knows his wellbeing is a top priority is more willing, more focused, and more committed to the mission.”
The lecture, a major highlight of the NADCEL 2025 activities, brought together serving and retired senior officers, defence scholars, and stakeholders to reflect on the evolving roles of the Nigerian Army and strategies to optimize its performance in a dynamic security landscape.
Under the leadership of Lt Gen Oluyede, the Nigerian Army has continued to implement reforms aimed at improving troop welfare, enhancing professionalism, and reinforcing its capacity to confront both conventional and asymmetric threats across the country.
As Nigeria battles multifaceted security challenges, the renewed focus on equipping and caring for the men and women on the frontlines is a welcome step that signals a more responsive and professional Army.
