By Ayo Ayodele
In a bid to bolster the operational readiness of the Nigerian Army, the Commander of the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Major General John Sokoya, has called for stronger collaboration with the Training and Doctrine Command of the Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA).
The call came during a familiarisation visit by Maj Gen Sokoya to the TRADOC Commander, Major General Kevin Aligbe, at TRADOC Headquarters in Minna, Niger State. The visit is part of a broader strategy to align training initiatives with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy, which emphasizes realistic training to tackle emerging hybrid security threats in a joint operational environment.
Maj Gen Sokoya praised TRADOC as the “hub and brain trust” of the Nigerian Army, noting its central role in shaping training doctrines and standards across the force. He emphasised the need for constructive collaboration between both institutions to ensure mission-specific and operationally relevant training for Army personnel.
“NATRAC is seeking TRADOC’s support to prepare for the upcoming EXERCISE MUGUN BUGU, which is the Nigerian Army’s premier field training exercise. We recognise TRADOC’s pivotal role in coordinating past editions of the exercise and wish to build on that success,” Sokoya stated.
He further highlighted that NATRAC also trains personnel from other security agencies, reinforcing its strategic role in Nigeria’s wider security architecture.
In response, Maj Gen Aligbe welcomed the initiative, describing the visit as both timely and strategic. He reiterated TRADOC’s commitment to shaping training policies that enhance the operational effectiveness of Army formations across the country.
“When you train together, you fight better together,” Aligbe remarked. “Joint training improves unit cohesion and battlefield command, both of which are vital in confronting Nigeria’s dynamic security challenges.”
He commended NATRAC for its dedication to continuous capacity building and for maintaining high standards in its training programmes.
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to deepen cooperation between TRADOC and NATRAC, aimed at standardising and refining the Nigerian Army’s training regime for better results in the field.