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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has described the Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship (NASAC) as a vital platform for demonstrating marksmanship, assessing proficiency in weapon handling and developing combat skills among troops.
Shaibu stated this while declaring open the 2026 edition of the championship at Ajilete, Owode, Ogun State. He was represented at the event by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army, Major General Peter Malla.
The Army Chief said the championship aligned with operational readiness, one of the key pillars of his command philosophy, stressing that the effectiveness of a fighting force depended not only on the availability of weapons but also on the competence, confidence and discipline of personnel.
“The central purpose of this event directs our attention to an enduring operational reality: the effectiveness of any fighting force depends not only on the availability of weapons, but also on the competence, confidence and discipline of the personnel who employ them,” he said.
He explained that NASAC reinforced the importance of marksmanship and proficient weapon handling as essential attributes of a combat-ready force.
According to him, the championship goes beyond the pursuit of trophies, providing an opportunity to translate training into measurable improvements in operational effectiveness across the various theatres of operation.
Shaibu expressed the hope that the competition would improve weapon handling, fire discipline and the ability of troops to engage targets effectively under demanding conditions.
He added that the event would enable the Army to assess existing training standards, identify areas requiring improvement and promote healthy competition, teamwork and camaraderie among formations and personnel.
The COAS emphasised that operational plans could only achieve their objectives when personnel possessed the necessary skills, confidence and discipline to handle their weapons accurately and decisively.
He described marksmanship as more than a competitive skill, noting that it was a critical component of combat power that enhanced effective engagement, preserved fighting strength and contributed directly to mission success.
The Army Chief also stressed the need for continuous improvements in training methods, shooting techniques and weapon-handling standards in response to the evolving security environment and growing asymmetric threats.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, reaffirmed the Department of Army Training’s commitment to promoting and implementing realistic training programmes across Nigerian Army formations.
Okoro, while welcoming guests to the championship, said realistic training remained essential to improving the professional competence and operational effectiveness of personnel.
More than 500 officers and soldiers are participating in NASAC 2026.
The participating formations include the 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 81 and 82 Divisions; 4 Special Forces Command; Army Headquarters Garrison; and the Nigerian Army Women Command.
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