The Nigerian Army has commissioned a state-of-the-art Strategic Wargaming Centre at the Army War College Nigeria (AWCN), Asokoro, Abuja, in a major move aimed at strengthening strategic planning, operational analysis, and informed military decision-making in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The facility was officially unveiled on Thursday, June 25, 2026, by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, as part of ongoing efforts to build a highly professional, adaptive, and combat-ready force capable of effectively safeguarding the nation’s security.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the Wargaming Centre as a significant investment in professional military education and institutional capacity development.
He noted that the increasingly complex security environment requires military commanders who are not only courageous on the battlefield but also intellectually agile, strategically minded, and capable of making sound decisions under pressure.
According to the Army Chief, wargaming has become an essential tool for preparing military leaders to anticipate threats, evaluate different operational options, and develop effective responses to complex security situations before they occur.
He explained that the new centre will serve as a strategic hub for innovation by providing a platform for operational experimentation, rigorous analysis, and joint planning to tackle national security challenges.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also acknowledged the contributions of his predecessors, whose vision and commitment laid the foundation for the successful completion of the project. He further commended the Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria and members of the faculty for proactively acquiring advanced wargaming expertise through partnerships with allied military institutions even before the facility was completed.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Army War College Nigeria, Major General Umar Alkali, expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff for his unwavering support in completing and equipping the centre with modern wargaming technology.
He explained that the facility will provide a realistic and intellectually stimulating environment where military participants can test campaign plans, evaluate force deployment concepts, explore alternative operational strategies, and assess the likely outcomes of strategic decisions using both manual and computer-assisted simulations.
Major General Alkali added that the centre will enhance joint military operations by integrating land, maritime, air, cyber, and information domains into realistic operational scenarios, thereby improving interoperability among the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Beyond military training, he disclosed that the Wargaming Centre will also support doctrine development, concept validation, operational research, and strategic-level analysis.
The newly commissioned facility features two large wargaming halls, four exercise rooms, three theatre laboratories, ten syndicate rooms, a conference room, a library, a digital server room, and other supporting infrastructure.
The Nigerian Army believes the new centre will significantly strengthen its ability to anticipate future security threats, develop effective operational responses, and contribute meaningfully to achieving Nigeria’s national security objectives.
Source: Nigerian Army Headquarters
Signed: Colonel Appolonia Anele
Acting Director, Army Public Relations
Date: June 25, 2026
