COAS Tasks Amphibious Training School on Building Capacity for Expanding Army

By Zainab Uzomah

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called for increased investment in specialised military training to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s capacity to tackle emerging security challenges.

In a statement signed by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the Army Chief made the call on Monday, November 9, 2026, during an operational visit to the Amphibious Training School (ATS) in Calabar, Cross River State.

Shaibu said the expansion of the Army’s formations and manpower must be matched with improved training facilities and specialised skills to ensure operational effectiveness.

He noted that amphibious warfare capabilities were essential for enhancing troop mobility, operational flexibility and combat readiness, particularly in difficult terrains that terrorists, insurgents and other criminal elements could exploit.

According to him, specialised military training is critical to securing strategic waterways, protecting critical national infrastructure, disrupting criminal networks and strengthening joint operations with sister services and other security agencies.

During the visit, the COAS received a briefing from the school’s Commandant, Brigadier General Mathias Ibawa Amatso, on its training programmes, facilities, achievements and challenges.

He also interacted with instructors and trainees to assess the quality of training and the institution’s contribution to developing specialised military competencies.

The Army Chief stressed that military training institutions must continually upgrade their infrastructure, instructional materials and methodologies to meet the demands of an expanding and technologically advancing force.

He urged instructors to sustain high training standards and charged trainees to uphold discipline, resilience and professionalism.

Shaibu assured the school of Army Headquarters’ commitment to upgrading its infrastructure, training facilities and instructional aids to improve its capacity to deliver quality specialised training.

He said developing highly skilled personnel remained central to building a responsive, resilient and combat-ready Nigerian Army capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities.