“Think Like Warriors, Not Robots! Army Chief Demands Creative Commanders For Modern Battlefields”

Major General Kevin Aligbe, head of TRADOC NA, noted that with rising global complexity, Nigeria urgently needs military commanders who can approach combat situations with out-of-the-box strategies.

Major General Kevin Aligbe, Commander of the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army, has emphasized the urgent need for battlefield leaders who are innovative, strategic, and capable of thinking beyond conventional military doctrine.

“We need commanders who can think outside the box, apply unconventional tactics, and deliver meaningful results on the battlefield. That’s the kind of transformation that strengthens not just the Army, but our overall national security,” he said.

The statement was made during a week-long Manual Wargaming Workshop, codenamed Exercise MUNGAMA AIKI, held in Minna, Niger State. The training is organized by TRADOC NA to equip tactical commanders with hands-on skills in combat strategy, critical thinking, and battlefield decision-making.

The workshop brings together officers from various Army formations to engage in intensive manual wargaming—an approach that excludes digital tools to promote raw strategic thinking. According to Major General Aligbe, such exercises are essential in preparing the military for Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, which include insurgency, terrorism, banditry, and cyber threats.

He noted that simulated combat scenarios help enhance judgment and decision-making under pressure, while the use of manual wargaming to test operational plans ahead of deployments could save lives, reduce risks, and optimize resource usage.

Commending the Chief of Army Staff for his visionary leadership, Aligbe credited him for steering the Army toward greater professionalism and operational readiness. “Our mission is clear: to defend this country. To do that, we must train smarter, plan better, and lead more effectively,” he added.

In his welcome remarks, Major General Jamiu Jimoh, Chief of Doctrine and Combat Development at TRADOC NA—represented by Brigadier General Muhammed Abubakar—described manual wargaming as a vital planning tool. He said it enhances mission effectiveness, reduces risk, and promotes a common strategic language among commanders.

The event follows a “train-the-trainer” format, enabling participants to replicate the training in their own units to raise the standard of planning and execution Army-wide. Drawn from different formations and military training schools, attendees were encouraged to remain engaged, receptive, and committed to passing on the knowledge for the sake of national security.

The workshop is scheduled to run until 27 June 2025 at the Lt. General Faruk Yahaya Manual Wargaming Centre within the TRADOC Complex and is expected to play a key role in shaping the Army’s future field strategy and doctrine.