Nigerian Army Sharpens Commanders’ War Planning Skills for Decisive Combat
The Nigerian Army has launched a week-long Manual Wargaming Workshop to bolster its operational effectiveness and adaptability in the face of evolving security challenges.
The intensive training, codenamed Exercise MUNGAMA AIKI, is designed to equip tactical commanders with advanced skills in combat strategy and decision-making, ensuring decisive outcomes on the battlefield.
The workshop, hosted by the Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA) in Minna, commenced on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. It brings together commanders from various Army formations to engage in rigorous manual wargaming drills. This approach, deliberately chosen to bypass digital limitations, aims to cultivate raw strategic thinking and foster commanders’ ability to innovate under pressure.
Declaring the workshop open, Major General Kelvin Aligbe, the Commander TRADOC NA, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative. “This is not just another training exercise; it is a mission-oriented initiative to strengthen our tactical edge and produce commanders who can think decisively under pressure and adapt to real-world combat challenges,” Maj Gen Aligbe stated.
The workshop is structured as a “train-the-trainer” program, meaning the participating commanders will replicate the wargaming model within their respective units. This cascading effect is expected to significantly elevate operational planning standards across all levels of the Nigerian Army.
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Maj Gen Aligbe, who also served as the Special Guest of Honour, underscored the imperative for commanders to be agile, innovative, and results-oriented. “We want commanders who can think out of the box, apply unconventional tactics, and deliver battlefield results that matter. This is the kind of transformation that strengthens not just the Army, but national security as a whole,” he asserted.
He highlighted the timeliness of the workshop, given Nigeria’s ongoing battle against diverse and complex threats, including insurgency, terrorism, banditry, and cyber warfare. Simulated battlefield scenarios, he explained, are crucial for sharpening participants’ judgment and response capabilities in real conflict situations.
Maj Gen Aligbe further stressed the invaluable role of manual wargaming in assessing operational plans before deployment, an approach he believes can significantly conserve lives, time, and resources. He lauded the Chief of Army Staff for his visionary leadership, which continues to drive the Army’s professionalization efforts. “Our duty is clear,” he added. “To protect this nation, we must train harder, plan smarter, and lead better.”
In his welcome address, Major General Jamiu Jimoh, the Chief of Doctrine and Combat Development TRADOC NA (represented by Brigadier General Muhammed Abubakar), described manual wargaming as an essential planning tool that enhances operational effectiveness, manages risk, and fosters a unified planning language among commanders. He confirmed that the workshop’s curriculum includes lectures, interactive discussions, and practical sessions focusing on the application of manual wargaming and the military decision-making process.
Participants, drawn from various Nigerian Army formations and training institutions, were encouraged to be fully engaged, open-minded, and committed to disseminating the acquired knowledge to their commands for the greater benefit of national security.
The workshop, which is being held at the Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya Manual Wargaming Centre within the TRADOC NA Complex, is scheduled to conclude on June 27, 2025. It is anticipated to contribute significantly to the Nigerian Army’s doctrinal evolution and field strategy development.
by PRNigeria
