The Nigerian Army is expanding the use of indigenous languages to boost intelligence collection and operational efficiency, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, announced on Friday, November 28.
Shaibu made the statement during the graduation ceremony of the 20th Indigenous Languages Course, organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) in Abuja, marking the third training programme of the 2025 cycle.
Represented at the event by the Chief of Administration, Army, Maj.-Gen. Isa Abdullahi, Shaibu underscored that language proficiency is crucial for effective military engagement and national security.
He explained that modern security challenges across Nigeria make fluency in local dialects essential for troops, who rely on human intelligence to communicate and collaborate with host communities.
“Operations today are largely intelligence-driven, and human intelligence depends on effective interaction with people,” Shaibu said.
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He added that understanding local cultures, traditions, and dialects enhances operational planning, decision-making, and the Army’s responsiveness to threats.
“Mastering local languages strengthens our ability to gather credible information, fosters trust with civilians, and improves our capacity to act decisively against threats,” Shaibu emphasised.
He urged graduates to treat language skills as strategic assets, vital for counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, and security operations.
Shaibu also called on them to maintain high standards of professionalism, discipline, and accountability amid Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.
The COAS stressed that continuous improvement in these skills will equip the Army to better protect citizens while ensuring efficient and timely responses to security challenges nationwide.