Nigerian Army Begins 2 Division Inter-Brigade Senior NCOs Competition in Lokoja to Boost Combat Readiness
The Nigerian Army has commenced the 2026 2 Division Inter-Brigade Warrant Officers and Senior NCOs Competition in Lokoja, with military leaders emphasizing professionalism, leadership, teamwork, and combat readiness amid Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Lokoja, Kogi State
The Nigerian Army has commenced the 2026 2 Division Inter-Brigade Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) Competition in Lokoja, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening leadership capacity, operational efficiency and combat preparedness among its personnel.
The four-day competition, which runs from July 7 to July 10, is being hosted by the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army at the Chari Maigumeri Barracks, Lokoja, bringing together Warrant Officers and Senior NCOs from formations under the 2 Division.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commander of the 12 Brigade, Brigadier General Kasim Sidi, described the competition as a strategic platform designed to improve leadership qualities, professional competence, organizational skills and esprit de corps among participants.
According to him, the exercise aligns with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of effectively carrying out its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency operational environment.
Brig. Gen. Sidi explained that the competition was carefully structured to evaluate and strengthen the core competencies required for modern military operations.
He noted that participants would compete in several military exercises, including drill competitions, combat swimming, combat race and obstacle crossing, map reading, shooting and weapon handling, among other physically and mentally demanding activities.
According to the Brigade Commander, beyond testing physical endurance, the competition is expected to sharpen tactical skills, reinforce discipline, build confidence and promote teamwork among senior soldiers.
He urged participants to approach every event with commitment, fairness and professionalism, assuring them that the Local Organising Committee had put adequate measures in place to ensure a transparent and hitch-free competition.
Declaring the competition open, the Special Guest of Honour, Major General Sunday Idoko (Rtd), said the exercise was timely, considering the evolving security challenges confronting the country and the increasing responsibilities placed on the Nigerian Army.
Drawing from his military experience, the retired senior officer described the competition as more than a physical contest, saying it provides an opportunity to develop character, strengthen leadership and deepen the spirit of comradeship among participants.
He told the soldiers that the demands of the competition reflect the realities they could encounter during military operations, stressing that discipline, resilience, teamwork and determination remain essential qualities for operational success.
Major General Idoko further stated that the competition would enable military formations to assess their operational readiness while identifying lessons that would contribute to improving the effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
He assured participants that experienced and impartial judges had been appointed to oversee the various events to guarantee fairness and credibility throughout the competition.
Both Brigadier General Sidi and Major General Idoko expressed appreciation to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, for supporting the initiative and providing the platform for continuous professional development within the Division.
They also thanked invited guests and senior military officers for attending the opening ceremony despite their demanding schedules.
The event attracted senior officers, invited dignitaries and military personnel from formations across the 2 Division, underscoring the Army’s sustained investment in building a highly skilled, disciplined and combat-ready force capable of responding effectively to contemporary security challenges.