The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged the newly established Nigerian Army Airborne Training School to develop highly skilled, agile and mission-ready personnel capable of conducting complex airborne and special operations in response to evolving security threats.
The COAS gave the charge on Friday, 25 September 2026, while unveiling the Nigerian Army Airborne School at Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described the establishment of the School as a strategic investment in capability development, designed to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s capacity to rapidly deploy specialised forces for demanding operations. He noted that the changing character of warfare and increasing sophistication of asymmetric threats require forces that are highly trained, adaptable and capable of operating effectively across diverse and challenging environments.
He stressed that airborne and special operations capabilities remain critical to modern military operations, particularly in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and other asymmetric security environments. Accordingly, he tasked the Commandant and instructors to develop and continually refine a rigorous, operationally relevant training curriculum that reflects global best practices while addressing Nigeria’s peculiar and evolving security challenges.
The COAS further stated that the School would serve as a centre of excellence for airborne operations, parachuting, air assault and other specialised military skills. He explained that the institution would enhance combat readiness, operational flexibility and the Army’s capacity to rapidly project appropriately trained forces in support of joint and multi-agency operations.
Lieutenant General Shaibu assured the School of the continued support of Army Headquarters through the provision of requisite infrastructure, equipment and manpower to enable it effectively discharge its mandate. He added that the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to build a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient Nigerian Army capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Airborne School, Brigadier General Muhammed Sani Usman, explained that the institution was upgraded from a Wing of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, to a full-fledged School. He stated that the expansion was necessitated by the Nigerian Army’s ongoing force development drive and the need to strengthen specialised capabilities, particularly those required to complement the operational employment of Nigerian Army Aviation.
APPOLONIA ANELE
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations
25 September 2026
