By Harriet Tornguvan
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwa, has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigerian Army and addressing key administrative and operational challenges to enhance national security.
Pheelangwa gave the assurance during a familiarisation visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja. The visit, according to the Permanent Secretary, was aimed at deepening institutional engagement between the Ministry and the Army as part of ongoing efforts to bolster civil-military synergy.
He reiterated the Ministry’s determination to resolve administrative bottlenecks, improve budgetary performance and execution, ensure timely service delivery, and uphold transparency in procurement processes. He stressed that efficient management of defence resources remains critical to empowering the Armed Forces to effectively discharge their constitutional mandate.
Pheelangwa further underscored the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the military in protecting the lives and property of citizens in the most efficient and effective manner.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to prioritise personnel welfare and human capital development, as well as enhanced engagement with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) to boost local defence production and improve operational outcomes.
In his response, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Shaibu, welcomed the visit and called for sustained support in critical operational areas to enhance the Army’s combat readiness.
He identified the expansion of the Army’s aviation wing as essential for rapid response operations, alongside an increase in the number of armed drones to strengthen surveillance and precision engagements.
The COAS also emphasised the importance of timely release of capital budget allocations, improved accommodation for newly recruited troops, and the deployment of permanent teaching staff to defence schools to consolidate training standards.
While outlining these priority areas, Lt. Gen. Shaibu assured the Permanent Secretary of the Army’s full cooperation with the Ministry of Defence in achieving shared national security objectives.
Senior officials from both institutions, including the Director of Press and Public Relations, the Director of Army Affairs, and Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, were in attendance at the meeting.
