DHQ Moves to Update Joint Doctrine as GOC Hosts Review Team
The Defence Headquarters has begun field consultations to review the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s Joint Defence Doctrine, as part of efforts to realign military operations with modern warfare realities and improve inter-service synergy.
On Monday, a delegation from the Defence Headquarters’ Review Committee visited the headquarters of the 1 Division Nigerian Army in Kaduna, where it was received by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division and Commander, Sector 1 Joint Task Force North-West Operation HADARIN DAJI, Major General Mayirenso Saraso.
The visit is part of a broader directive from the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, to engage field commanders and operational units in shaping a new doctrine that reflects the current security landscape, emerging technologies, and operational challenges faced by the Armed Forces.
Speaking during the visit, the team leader, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Amin Isah, told journalists that the committee was mandated to identify gaps in the existing doctrine and ensure that the revised version is not only reflective of battlefield realities but also forward-looking.
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“This doctrine was last reviewed in 2017, but the nature of warfare has changed significantly since then,” AVM Isah said. “We are here to consult those on the ground — field commanders — who are actively engaged in joint operations. Their insights on training, leadership, intelligence gathering, and technological integration are crucial.”
He added that the committee will also examine challenges related to equipment, discipline, recruitment, and coordination among the services, with the aim of improving joint operations between the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
In his response, Major General Saraso underscored the importance of a **bottom-up approach** in doctrine development, arguing that strategic success depends heavily on tactical-level execution.
“Doctrine must be driven by operational realities,” he said. “While the initial input from 1 Division was based on a working draft, this physical engagement allows us to provide more robust contributions that reflect the challenges and progress made on the ground.”
The GOC stressed that modern conflicts demand doctrines that are agile, technologically informed, and rooted in practical experience.
The interactive session included presentations on current operational structures, challenges encountered during joint missions, and feedback on how doctrinal changes could enhance efficiency in ongoing operations, particularly in the North-West theatre of operations.
BY PRNigeria
