Nigeria has traditionally being viewed as Africa’s economic superpower and the preponderant military power in West Africa. It has long been the Unitied States largest trading partner on the African continent, and the Nigerian armed forces has once been the pride of West Africa. West Africa has grown to become the most democratic region in all of Africa because of the security the Nigerian miiitary provided.

But until recently the Nigerian military was seriously in trouble.The lack of a comparable military peer in the region led to the decimation of the Nigerian army and Air Force by Nigeria’s civilian myopic leadership who feared a strong military raises the spectre of a possible coup or political interference in the affairs of the nation. After decades (40 years) of military dictatorship, the fear of coup plots has been ingrained into The psyche of Nigeria.

The number of ground combat divisions decreased from thirteen before the return of democracy in May 29 1999, to just seven combat division post May 29 1999. Hundreds of Nigeria’s most capable and experienced commanders were “retired”. The consequences of these ill conceived policies was profound. In just under 10 years the Nigerian Army was transformed from an attack oriented fighting force with an impeccable track record, to a largely defence oriented army with lots of artillery divisions but incapable of offensive operations. Unfortunately it took getting a bloody nose from Boko Haram and temporary loss of territory and prestige, for Nigeria’s political leaders re-evaluate its defense posture halt its downward spiral.

After nearly a decade of a costly war of attrition with the Boko Haram insurgency, a new requirements have been raised for innovative development of Nigeria’s military posture and the accomplishment of military missions and operations.

In response to the call made by Nigeria’s President Muhamadu Buhari to the Ministry of Defence to design a plan for the establishment of a military industrial complex for local production of weapons, arising from the changing security situation, the Nigerian armed forces will constantly innovate strategic guidance and operational thoughts so as to ensure the capabilities of fighting and winning.

The lesson from the Boko Haram unsurgency & Current trends in Nigeria’s military modernization.

The revamping of the Nigerian armed forces must closely center around the goal of building a strong military, respond to the country’s core security needs, aim at building an informationized military and winning informationized wars, deepen the reform of national defense and the armed forces in an all-round way, build a modern system of military forces with Nigerian characteristics based on the hard reality on the ground and most importantly, root out corruption. All this will enhance the capabilities of the Nigerian armed forces in addressing various security threats and accomplishing diversified military tasks befitting of a regional hegemon.

The Boko Haram insurgency opened the eyes of Nigeria’s military commanders for the requirement of mobile operations and multi-dimensional offense and defense. The creation of Special Operations Groups like the Army 72 Mobile Strike Group, the Air Force Special Forces Regiment and the Navy SBS (Special Boat Services) Commando units is a step in the right direction for the Nigerian military. The Nigerian armed forces especially the army must continue to reorient from the traditional theater defense to trans-theater mobility. In the process of building a small multi-functional and modular units, the Nigerian Army will adapt itself to tasks in differen regions, develop capacity of its combat forces form different purposes and construct a combat force structure for mount operations.
When tuareg rebels and extremist groups occupied half of Mali, Nigeria lost a very good opportunity to reinforce its image as the regional military power house.The Chadians seized this opportunity and together with the French successfully pushed out the rebels out of Mali.

For the Nigerian military to regain her rightful place as the military hegemon in the sub-region, it must reform the fabric and doctrine of its fighting force. If these reforms are followed through the Nigerian Army will elevate its capabilities for precise multi-dimensional, trans-theater, multi-functional and sustainable operations. A strong Nigerian military will limit the ability of the French flex its military muscle in West Africa, the only region the French still has a considerable amount if influence.

ogbeni stop mixing facts and research properly

DEATHMACHINE:
ogbeni stop mixing facts and research properly

How

intrepidJ:


How

Nigerian army never had thirteen combat divisions,the most we had was five during military rule. Obasanjo actually increased it, creating the 86 div,new combat battalions,as did GEJ,and upgraded the Lagos garrison to a full division,81 div of today.
You want to write such piece?. Kindly do your research,but I understand this is an asslicking post in praise of the "sheriff" in town.