Nigeria’s army marked its 163rd anniversary in Port Harcourt with more than ceremony: President Bola Tinubu used the occasion to pledge deeper investment in a technology driven military, local defence manufacturing and stronger regional security ties, even as the army’s own chief used the same stage to reveal a worrying new detail, foreign jihadist fighters have been spotted near Nigeria’s borders.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the celebration’s grand finale, Tinubu said his government is focused on countering modern threats through emerging technology and stronger capability across every battle space, with homegrown defence research progressing and revitalising the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria central to that push. He pointed to the African Land Forces Forum as a source of fresh momentum for local manufacturing, intelligence sharing, border cooperation and regional standby forces, arguing the partnership would help the corporation produce advanced equipment, create skilled jobs and build Nigeria’s confidence in its own defence production. He also paid tribute to soldiers who have held the line at the country’s most vulnerable moments throughout its history, promising that families of the fallen remain a permanent national responsibility.
It was Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu who delivered the anniversary’s sharper note, warning that instability spreading across the Sahel has begun crossing into Nigeria, with the army now tracking foreign jihadist elements along the border. He struck a note of resolve rather than alarm, comparing the moment to earlier generations that faced the world wars and Nigeria’s civil war and prevailed, and said troops continue degrading terrorist networks and reclaiming communities despite ongoing insurgency, banditry, separatist unrest and transnational crime, with more than 80 percent of Nigerian troops currently deployed on active operations. He called today’s security challenge one that demands a response from every part of government and society.
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, hosting the event, said simply staging it in his state disproved what he called deliberately sponsored negative narratives about Rivers, pledging continued support for security agencies while insisting soldier welfare has to be treated as seriously as performance expectations. The anniversary also featured the Nigerian Army Outstanding Service Commendation Medal, honouring three civilians alongside serving and retired soldiers, including Keves Global Leasing Chairman Ikenna Okafor for his contributions to the service and retired Major General Felix Mujakperuo, the last surviving force commander of Nigeria’s ECOMOG mission, recognised for his work on regional peace. Military chiefs from 16 African countries attended, alongside former Head of State Yakubu Gowon and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, with participants using the gathering to reaffirm the case for deeper continental security cooperation.
