AWCN COMMANDANT TO OFFICERS: ‘DON’T JUST IDENTIFY PROBLEMS — DELIVER SOLUTIONS.
By Raymond Enoch.
In a bold charge that echoed through the ranks of Nigeria’s emerging military leadership, the Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN), Major General Umar Mohammed Alkali, has urged participants of Course 9/2025 to rise above conventional analysis and embrace solution-driven leadership in the face of Nigeria’s mounting security challenges.
Speaking at the culmination of the College’s Theater Operations Visit to 1 and 6 Divisions of the Nigerian Army, the Commandant emphasized that Nigeria no longer has the luxury of leaders who merely identify threats — the country needs strategic thinkers who can diagnose, design, and deliver results.
> “The Nigerian Army and indeed our nation need leaders who can think outside the box, leaders who will not just identify the problems but provide workable solutions,” General Alkali declared. “As participants of the Army War College, you must rise to this challenge and contribute to shaping the future of our security.”
The Theater Operations Visit — a critical pillar of the College’s curriculum — serves as a strategic immersion for senior officers transitioning into operational and strategic command roles. Divided into two field teams, the participants were embedded in frontline divisions to witness firsthand the demands of modern warfare and inter-agency cooperation.
Team One, led by Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies, Brigadier General OI Odigie, was hosted by 1 Division in Kaduna. Simultaneously, Team Two, under Brigadier General AO Balogun, interfaced with troops and commanders in 6 Division, Port Harcourt. The engagements offered a dynamic learning environment where theory met reality — from command briefings and operational reviews to live-field assessments and strategic planning simulations.
Participants interacted with division and component commanders, analyzed operational dynamics, and observed the interplay of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies across diverse terrains. These field engagements are designed not only to reinforce academic concepts but to mold a new cadre of military leaders attuned to Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.
General Alkali’s message, however, was clear: the task ahead goes beyond familiarity with doctrine or tactical brilliance. Nigeria requires bold thinkers, problem-solvers, and implementers — officers capable of harnessing both intellectual and operational assets to confront terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and emerging hybrid threats.
> “Analyzing the problem is only half the work,” he stressed. “The next half is designing innovative, practical, and executable solutions. That is the leadership Nigeria needs.”
The AWCN has consistently reaffirmed its mandate to prepare senior officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria for higher command and strategic responsibilities. With the successful conclusion of this operational visit, the College further reinforces its commitment to bridging the gap between strategic education and the realities of 21st-century warfare.
As the nation grapples with complex threats, the message from AWCN rings loud and clear: It’s time for leaders who do more than identify problems — it’s time for those who solve them.
