Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), Major General Kevin Aligbe, has said that the world is becoming so complex now that Nigeria needs to get army commanders that think out-of-the-box In battlefield at all times.
He declared: “We (Nigerians) 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.”
The General was speaking at a week-long Manual Wargaming Workshop codenamed: Exercise MUNGAMA AIKI, in Minna, the Niger State capital.
The workshop, aimed to equip tactical commanders with practical skills in combat strategy and decision-making, is being conducted by the Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA).
It brings together commanders from across Army formations for intensive manual wargaming drills an approach that removes digital limitations and fosters raw strategic thinking.
Major General Kevin Aligbe stressed the need for commanders to be agile, innovative and results-oriented, saying that the workshop is timely in view of the fact that Nigeria continues to face diverse and complex threats, ranging from insurgency and terrorism to banditry and cyber warfare.
According to the General, simulated battlefield scenarios would help sharpen participants’ judgment and response capabilities in real conflict situations.
Major General Aligbe also stressed the importance of using manual wargaming to assess operational plans prior to deployment an approach that could save lives, time, and resources.
He commended the Chief of Army Staff for his visionary leadership, which he said has continued to drive the Army’s professionalization efforts.
“Our duty is clear: to protect this nation. We must train harder, plan smarter, and lead better.”
In his welcome address, the Chief of Doctrine and Combat Development TRADOC NA, Major General Jamiu Jimoh, 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 emphasized that the workshop will feature lectures, interactive discussions and practical sessions centered on the application of manual wargaming and the military decision-making process.
The workshop is structured as a “train-the-trainer” program, where participants will replicate the wargaming model in their respective units to raise operational planning standards at all levels.
Participants were drawn from Nigerian Army formations and training institutions. Major General Jimoh encouraged them to be fully engaged, open-minded and committed to transferring the knowledge gained to their respective commands for the benefit of national security.
The workshop runs until 27 June 2025 and is expected to contribute significantly to the Nigerian Army’s doctrinal evolution and field strategy development. It is being held at the Lt General Faruk Yahaya Manual Wargaming Centre, co-located within the TRADOC NA Complex.
