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Insecurity: Army Chief Shaibu Orders Shift To Digital Data Systems For Smarter Security Operations
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the contemporary security environment, characterised by rapid technological advancement and increasing reliance on digital systems, requires the Nigerian Army to move beyond traditional approaches to record-keeping.
He called for integrated, secure and technology-enabled systems that promote efficiency, interoperability and institutional resilience, while urging personnel to strengthen their capacity in data governance, cybersecurity, records preservation and information assurance.
Declaring open the fourth edition of the Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary Data Management and Record-Keeping Seminar at the Armed Forces Officers’ Mess, Abuja, on Tuesday, the COAS described effective data management and record-keeping as a strategic capability essential to informed decision-making, operational effectiveness, accountability and the ongoing transformation of the Nigerian Army.
Represented by the Dean, Faculty of Combat Arms Research, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Major General Eyitayo Oyinlola, the COAS noted that while considerable attention is devoted to force structure, equipment acquisition and training, the effectiveness of these efforts ultimately depends on the availability of accurate, secure and timely information.
He stressed that decisions on recruitment, commissioning, postings, promotions, career progression, welfare, logistics, force generation and operational planning are fundamentally dependent on the quality, integrity and accessibility of relevant data.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further observed that the contemporary security environment, characterised by rapid technological advancement and increasing reliance on digital systems, requires the Nigerian Army to move beyond traditional approaches to record-keeping.
The COAS further emphasised that data management and record-keeping are collective institutional responsibilities requiring discipline, professionalism and accountability at every level of command.
He charged participants to take full advantage of the seminar to deepen their knowledge, exchange ideas and translate lessons learnt into measurable improvements across their respective formations, units and establishments.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Acting Military Secretary (Army), Brigadier General Mathew Oyekola, described efficient data management and record-keeping as indispensable enablers of sound administration, institutional memory and operational effectiveness.
He stated that the seminar aligns with the COAS Command Philosophy of “Advancing the Transformation of the Nigerian Army into a More Professional, Adaptable, Combat Ready and Resilient Force Capable of Decisively Discharging its Constitutional Responsibilities Within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.”
Delivering the keynote lecture titled “Efficient Data Management and Record Keeping: A Catalyst for Enhancing Career Management and Administration in the Nigerian Army,” Major General Nosakhare Ugbo (Rtd.) maintained that modern career management can no longer depend on manual and fragmented systems.
He noted that accurate and reliable data directly impacts recruitment, commissioning, postings, promotions, courses, appointments, welfare and retirement benefits.
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