The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged officers and soldiers graduating from Exercise Restore Hope IX to convert their intensive training into concrete operational victories as they deploy to various theatres across the country to confront Nigeria’s security challenges.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the charge at the Final Exercise and Graduation Ceremony of Exercise Restore Hope IX, held at the Nigerian Army Training Camp, Kachia, Kaduna State, on Friday, January 23, 2026.
The Army Chief stressed that combat excellence, discipline, adaptability and teamwork remain indispensable requirements for success in modern warfare, particularly in the face of evolving and complex security threats confronting the nation.
He described Exercise Restore Hope as a critical pillar of the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda, noting that the training programme is deliberately designed to build a professional, resilient and mission-oriented force capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency environments.
According to him, the advanced infantry training undergone by the graduating troops has significantly enhanced their marksmanship, physical endurance, combat medical skills and mental resilience, all of which are essential for sustained and high-tempo operations.
“The true measure of this training lies in your conduct and performance in the field,” the COAS said, urging the graduates to demonstrate professionalism and tactical competence in all assigned missions.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also emphasised that battlefield success must be firmly anchored on professionalism, respect for human rights and accountability, stressing that ethical conduct is vital to sustaining public confidence and maintaining operational legitimacy.
He commended the instructors and training establishments involved in the exercise for maintaining high training standards, noting that graduates of previous editions of Exercise Restore Hope have continued to distinguish themselves across various theatres of operation.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General VU Okoro, said Exercise Restore Hope, now in its ninth series, remains one of the Nigerian Army’s most important post-basic training platforms.
Major General Okoro explained that the exercise is aimed at sharpening combat skills, building physical and mental resilience, and preparing soldiers to effectively respond to contemporary operational realities, including asymmetric threats and complex security environments.
He added that the curriculum was carefully structured to reflect current battlefield demands and to ensure that participants are well-equipped to operate under pressure while working seamlessly with other services and security agencies.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Chief of Army Staff formally declared Exercise Restore Hope IX closed, congratulated the graduating officers and soldiers, and approved the immediate promotion and decoration of seven soldiers who distinguished themselves as instructors during the exercise.
The ceremony marked another milestone in the Nigerian Army’s ongoing efforts to enhance combat readiness, professionalism and operational effectiveness in support of national security objectives.
