Nigerian Army Raises Concern Over Drug Abuse Threat to Combat Readiness
The Nigerian Army has raised alarm over the growing impact of drug and substance abuse on the combat readiness of its personnel, warning that the trend poses a significant threat to operational effectiveness.
The concern was highlighted on Thursday during a Seminar on Transformational Leadership organized by the Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation in Maiduguri.
Director of Army Transformation and Innovation, Major General S. Nicodemus, said the seminar was designed to improve leadership skills among junior and mid-level officers while sensitizing them to the dangers of drug abuse on professional conduct and military performance.
Drug and substance abuse remains one of the greatest impediments to our combat readiness. As we focus on raising effective leaders, we must also ensure our personnel uphold discipline, regimentation, and values that keep the Army strong, he said.
Declaring the seminar open, Olusegun Samuel Abai, representative of the Chief of Army Staff, commended the choice of theme: Transformational Leadership and Nigerian Army Operational Effectiveness in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.
He stressed that junior and mid-level officers, particularly those serving as frontline commanders in the North East theatre, play a critical role in sustaining morale, motivation, and the fighting spirit of troops.
The Nigerian Army has made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, but the evolving nature of security challenges requires adaptive leadership, strict regimentation, and freedom from the scourge of drug abuse, Abai stated.
He also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to the Nigerian Army, noting that his guidance has been instrumental to recent successes.
The seminar features lectures on leadership development, mentorship, and the impact of drug abuse on combat readiness. Resource persons are expected to provide practical insights to strengthen command, control, supervision, and professional competence.
Officials lauded the initiative of the Army Transformation and Innovation Department, describing it as part of ongoing reforms to reposition the Nigerian Army for greater efficiency in joint operations.
Participants were encouraged to embrace the opportunity for self-development and commit to grooming a new generation of disciplined, professional leaders who will safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
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