Mariam Sanni
The Chief of Army Staff, COAS Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has highlighted the importance of language proficiency for intelligence gathering and effective communication with local populations.
This was made known by the COAS at the graduation ceremony of the 20th indigenous language course, which is the third program in the 2025 training cycle, held in Abuja.
He explained the importance of enhancing language skills for Nigerian Army personnel, noting that operations are intelligence-driven and require effective communication with local populations.
The Chief who was able represented by the Chief of Administration, Nigerian Army, Major General Isa Abdullahi has urged the graduates to continue honing their language abilities and to use their new proficiencies in their various deployments.
He stressed the need for proficiency in local languages to enhance communication and counter threats effectively.
The Chief of Army Staff calls for a culture of discipline, accountability, and professionalism among Nigerian Army personnel.
He acknowledged the efforts of the Nigerian Army Resource Center and legal services in training personnel in indigenous languages.
He charged the graduates to see their certificates as the beginning of a continuous learning process and to use every opportunity to improve their language skills.
COAS mentioned the annual online language recertification test to ascertain the graduates’ proficiency status and eligibility for pecuniary benefits.
The Director General of Nigerian Army Resource Centre, NARC, Major General James Myam(Rtd) in his welcome address explained that the course was introduced to enhance operational efficiency, elicit local population support, and improve intelligence gathering.
He added that the course has become a key event on the Nigerian Army Resource Center’s annual calendar.
According to him, the graduates are expected to continue using and improving their proficiency in the indigenous languages they have learned.
