In a pivotal move to strengthen the emotional and psychological resilience of its forces, the Nigerian Armed Forces kicked off the 2025 First Bi-Annual Sensitisation Training on Stress Management, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Emotional Intelligence for combat-deployed troops.
The initiative, launched Friday at the 8 Division Auditorium in Sokoto, is targeted at officers and soldiers serving under Operation FANSAN YAMMA and various internal security operations nationwide.
At the heart of the opening remarks was a strong message from Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
Delivering the address through Major General Warrah Idris, Director of Innovation and Concept Development at Defence Headquarters, Musa emphasized the often-overlooked psychological burden borne by troops.
“Our personnel face more than just bullets and bombs — they confront deep psychological battles that persist beyond the battlefield,” Musa stated. “This training is part of our strategic effort to help them understand, manage, and recover from those invisible wounds.”
The programme aims to embed mental wellness and emotional intelligence into Nigeria’s military culture, integrating it into operational routines as a core requirement for combat readiness.
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Brigadier General Abubakar Suru, Chief of Staff of 8 Division, standing in for GOC Major General Ibikunle Ajose, applauded the initiative as both timely and impactful.
According to him, the training delivers practical tools for identifying and managing PTSD, while also building emotional intelligence — an essential asset for decision-making under stress.
“Our mission readiness is not just about firepower and strategy — it’s also about mental stability and emotional balance,” Suru noted. “By equipping our troops with psychological tools, we are improving operational efficiency and enhancing their long-term well-being.”
Military psychologists, mental health professionals, and frontline officers attended the event, fostering open dialogue on trauma recovery, stress recognition, and emotional regulation.
The programme is part of the Armed Forces’ broader push to prioritise troop welfare and reshape the military’s approach to mental health in active duty contexts.