As part of efforts to strengthen strategic planning, operational analysis and military preparedness in tackling evolving security threats ravaging the country. the Nigerian Army has commissioned a state-of-the-art Strategic Wargaming Centre in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Speaking at the commissioning of the facility at the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) in Asokoro, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, described it as a major investment in professional military education and institutional capacity development.
He added that the country’s increasingly complex security environment requires commanders who possess not only battlefield courage but also strategic thinking and sound decision-making abilities.
According to him, wargaming provides military leaders with an opportunity to anticipate threats, assess multiple response options and develop effective strategies before real-life security situations unfold.
“The Wargaming Centre will serve as a strategic hub for developing innovative solutions to national security challenges through rigorous analysis, operational experimentation and joint planning,” the army chief said.
Shaibu noted that the project reflects the Nigerian Army’s commitment to building a highly professional, adaptive and combat-ready force capable of addressing both current and emerging security challenges.
He also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessors for laying the foundation for the project and commended the Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria and members of the faculty for acquiring advanced wargaming expertise through engagements with allied military institutions ahead of the completion of the facility.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, Major General Umar Alkali, expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff for supporting the completion and equipping of the centre with modern wargaming infrastructure.
Alkali explained that the facility would provide a realistic and intellectually stimulating environment where participants can test campaign plans, evaluate force employment concepts, explore alternative courses of action and assess the implications of strategic decisions using both manual and computer-assisted wargames.
He added that the centre would integrate land, maritime, air, cyber and information domains into joint operational scenarios, thereby enhancing interoperability and jointness among the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Beyond training and education, Alkali said the facility would also support doctrine development, concept validation, operational research and strategic-level analysis.
The newly commissioned centre features two large wargaming halls, four exercise rooms, three theatre laboratories, ten syndicate rooms, a conference room, a library, a digital server room and other supporting infrastructure.
The Nigerian Army said the facility is expected to significantly enhance its capacity to anticipate future threats, develop effective response options and contribute to the achievement of Nigeria’s national security objectives.
