Shaibu Strengthens 1 Women Battalion with Refurbished Vehicles, Nightingale Club
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned refurbished operational vehicles and the Nightingale Club at 1 Women Battalion, Giri, Abuja, as part of efforts to enhance troops’ operational readiness, WomenWomenmobility and welfare in support of ongoing national security operations.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Monday, 21 September 2026, the COAS, represented by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said the availability of serviceable operational vehicles was critical to the effective movement of personnel, equipment and logistics in response to operational requirements.
Lieutenant General Shaibu stressed that military effectiveness was closely linked to the availability and serviceability of operational platforms, noting that the refurbishment of the vehicles would significantly improve the formation’s capacity to respond efficiently to assigned tasks.
He therefore charged commanders and personnel entrusted with the vehicles to ensure proper maintenance, responsible handling and strict compliance with extant regulations. The COAS emphasised that the vehicles were national assets which must be protected, properly accounted for and utilised strictly for authorised military purposes.
The COAS also described the newly commissioned Nightingale Club as an important investment in the human element of military effectiveness. He noted that a capable, resilient and combat-ready force requires not only serviceable equipment and operational platforms, but also an enabling environment that promotes the morale, cohesion and wellbeing of personnel.
According to him, the facility would provide opportunities for recreation, healthy social interaction and relaxation for personnel and their families, while fostering camaraderie and esprit de corps within the formation.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the leadership and personnel of 1 Women Battalion, as well as the officers, soldiers, civilian staff, contractors and other stakeholders whose collective efforts contributed to the successful completion of the projects.
He noted that the achievements demonstrated the importance of effective leadership, prudent resource management and collective responsibility, particularly as the Nigerian Army continues to optimise available resources to meet evolving national security demands.
Building on the achievements, the COAS charged commanders and personnel to sustain a culture of maintenance, accountability and prudent management of military resources. He stressed that the true value of the commissioned assets would ultimately be measured by their contribution to operational effectiveness and personnel welfare.
Earlier, the Commander Nigerian Army Women Command, Brigadier General Muhammed Sani Adamu, described the Nightingale Club as a strategic investment in the human element of military effectiveness.
He noted that a professional, resilient and combat-ready force requires not only the right equipment and capabilities, but also an enabling environment that promotes the morale, welfare, cohesion and wellbeing of its personnel.
Brigadier General Adamu commended the COAS for his strategic guidance and sustained provision of resources aimed at improving the welfare of personnel in line with his Soldier First philosophy.
He stressed that prioritising the human element remained critical to building a motivated force capable of sustaining operational effectiveness and effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities.
The commissioning of the refurbished vehicles and Nightingale Club underscores the Nigerian Army’s continued efforts to strengthen operational capacity while creating a supportive environment that enhances the welfare, morale and effectiveness of its personnel.
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