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 tangible operational victories as they deploy to various theatres to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges.
The COAS gave the charge at the Final Exercise and Graduation Ceremony held on Friday, 23 January 2026, at the Nigerian Army Training Camp, Kachia, Kaduna State.
Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed that combat excellence, discipline, adaptability and teamwork remain critical requirements for success in modern warfare, noting that today’s operational environment demands highly skilled, mentally resilient and ethically grounded soldiers.
He described Exercise Restore Hope as a key pillar of the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda, aimed at building a professional, resilient and mission-oriented force capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency frameworks.
According to the Army Chief, the advanced infantry training exposed participants to enhanced marksmanship, physical endurance, combat medical skills and mental resilience, equipping them for sustained and high-tempo operations across diverse operational terrains.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further emphasised that battlefield success must be anchored on professionalism, respect for human rights and accountability, stressing that ethical conduct is essential to sustaining public confidence and operational legitimacy.
He commended the instructors and training establishments for maintaining high standards, adding that graduates of previous editions of Exercise Restore Hope have continued to distinguish themselves in various theatres of operation nationwide.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General VU Okoro, noted that the exercise—now in its ninth series—remains one of the Nigerian Army’s most critical post-basic training platforms for sharpening combat skills, building resilience and preparing troops for contemporary operational realities.
At the climax of the ceremony, the COAS 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
