The Nigerian Army has been recognised as Africa’s Best National Army in Counter-Terrorism Operations for 2025 by African Security Watch.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the continental security organisation cited as basis for the ranking, the military’s achievements in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism across Nigeria.
The award was formally presented to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday after it was earlier received on behalf of the Nigerian Army by Major General Teriworie Gagariga during the African Security Watch Awards Ceremony held in Banjul, The Gambia.
Receiving the award, Shaibu described the recognition as a tribute to the courage, professionalism and resilience of officers and soldiers involved in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country.
He said the honour reflected the effectiveness of the Nigerian Army’s evolving operational strategies and reinforced its position as one of Africa’s leading forces in the fight against terrorism.
“This recognition is a tribute to the courage, professionalism and resilience of Nigerian Army personnel engaged in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations across the country,” the army chief said.
Shaibu dedicated the award to officers and soldiers who lost their lives while defending the country, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices would never be forgotten. He also praised their families for their steadfast support despite the difficult realities of military service.
The Chief of Army Staff reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to sustaining its operational successes through intelligence-led operations, stronger joint and multi-agency collaboration, continuous training, improved welfare for personnel and the acquisition of modern military capabilities.
He added that the army would continue its transformation into a more professional, adaptive and combat-ready force capable of responding effectively to Nigeria’s changing security challenges while also contributing to peace and stability across the region.
Explaining why the Nigerian Army was selected for the award, African Security Watch said the force distinguished itself through coordinated joint operations, intelligence-driven campaigns, civil-military cooperation, force development and capacity-building initiatives.
According to the organisation, the army’s operations have significantly weakened terrorist groups while strengthening national and regional security, making it a benchmark for counter-terrorism operations across the African continent.
The recognition comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s military capacity in the face of persistent security challenges.
President Bola Tinubu recently approved a major expansion of the Nigerian Army, increasing its operational structure to 12 divisions nationwide as part of efforts to improve military operations and enhance the country’s security architecture.
The approval also includes the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to boost manpower and strengthen the military’s ability to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other criminal activities.
Under the new arrangement, the Nigerian Army will operate through 12 divisions strategically spread across the country, with implementation scheduled to take place in phases. Military authorities said the first phase, which includes the establishment of the 5, 9 and 10 Divisions alongside the reorganisation of existing formations, is expected to be completed by September 2026, while the second phase involving the creation of the 83 Division in Benin City and additional restructuring is projected for completion by December 2026.
The expansion is expected to bring military formations closer to states that currently depend on neighbouring divisions for operational support, while the recruitment of thousands of additional soldiers is aimed at strengthening ongoing operations against terrorist organisations, armed bandits, kidnappers and other criminal groups.
