The Army Headquarters Department of Army Transformation and Innovation (DATI) has organized an awareness lecture with the theme “From Trauma to Triumph: Building Combat-Ready Warriors in the Nigerian Army” at the multipurpose hall of Nigerian Military School (NMS), Zaria on 4 November 2025. The lecture was designed to strengthen the moral, mental, and psychological components of the Nigerian Army’s fighting force to enhance operational efficiency and overall combat readiness across formations and training institutions.
In his opening remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, Chief of Transformation and Innovation (Army), Major General Olusegun Samson Abai, ably represented by the Director, Lessons Learnt, DATI, Major General MD Danja, noted that the seminar was conceived to build and sustain the resilience, discipline, and fighting spirit of Nigerian Army personnel and trainees. He added that the programme aligns with the Army’s drive to promote leadership, sound administration, professionalism, and combat readiness across all levels.
Major General Danja further urged participants to take advantage of the knowledge shared and integrate the lessons into their personal and professional lives. He commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for his continuous support and commitment to capacity-building initiatives that contribute to a more responsive, adaptive, and combat-ready force.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Commandant, Nigerian Military School, Brigadier General Owoicho Ejiga, warmly welcomed participants and underscored the importance of the seminar in consolidating the Nigerian Army’s deliberate efforts to develop the moral component of its fighting force alongside the physical and conceptual elements. He encouraged all attendees to key into the objectives of the lecture, describing the programme as “timely and strategic in reinforcing the moral and psychological readiness of troops in a constantly evolving security environment.”
The awareness lecture featured three technical presentations, “Effects of Drug/Substance Abuse on Nigerian Army Operational Efficiency” delivered by Assistant Commander of Narcotics (ACN) S Muhammed of Drug Demand Reduction Unit, NDLEA Kaduna State Command. “Overcoming Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the Nigerian Army” delivered by Lieutenant Colonel Susan Dibal (Rtd) and “Intensifying Warrior Ethos and Mental Toughness” delivered by Major General Charles Ofoche (Rtd).
The sessions provided deep insights into the dangers of drug and substance abuse, the psychological impact of operational stress, and the importance of sustaining warrior ethos and mental toughness in confronting modern security challenges. Each presentation was followed by an interactive discussion that allowed participants to share experiences and propose strategies for improving emotional resilience and professional conduct among personnel.
The event concluded with a group photograph, presentation of souvenirs, and closing interactions among participants. In attendance were the Director, Training and Exercise Analysis, Brigadier General J Are, Commandants, senior officers, officers, soldiers, and trainees from sister Nigerian Army institutions in Zaria, including the Nigerian Army School of Military Police (NASMP), Nigerian Army School of Legal Services (NASLS), Army School of Physical Training, 11 Field Engineer Regiment, and NMS students.
The awareness lecture forms part of the Nigerian Army’s continuous efforts to build psychologically resilient, morally upright, and combat-ready soldiers capable of meeting contemporary security challenges and sustaining operational excellence.
