Brigadier General Mohammed Usman has officially assumed office as the 20th Director of Physical Training (Army) following a formal handing-over ceremony held on Monday, 19 January 2026, at the Headquarters of the Directorate of Army Physical Training.
The ceremony, a routine but significant tradition in the Nigerian Army, was attended by principal staff officers as well as representatives of the Directorate serving in other formations and units outside the Directorate, underscoring the importance of the leadership transition.
In a statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Directorate of Army Physical Training, Captain Joy Ehi Abah, the outgoing Director, Brigadier General Emem Lawrence Etuk, in his farewell remarks, expressed deep appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) for the opportunity to serve in the role.
Brigadier General Etuk commended officers and soldiers of the Directorate for their loyalty, dedication and collective efforts, which he said were instrumental to the successes recorded during his tenure. He highlighted the strong family spirit within the Directorate and urged personnel to extend the same cooperation, support and commitment to his successor to ensure continued progress.
In his maiden address, the new Director, Brigadier General Mohammed Usman, assured personnel of his determination to uphold professionalism, discipline and teamwork within the Directorate. He pledged to sustain unity and cohesion among officers and soldiers, while reaffirming his commitment to repositioning the Directorate in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy.
The ceremony climaxed with the symbolic lowering of Brigadier General Etuk’s command flag and the hoisting of Brigadier General Usman’s command flag, marking the formal transfer of authority and command responsibility.
The seamless transition reflected the Directorate’s long-standing tradition of discipline, continuity and institutional stability, reinforcing its critical role in strengthening the Nigerian Army’s physical fitness standards, combat readiness and overall operational effectiveness.
