The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has unveiled the Nigerian Army Airborne Training School at Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State, as part of efforts to strengthen specialised military capabilities and operational readiness.
Shaibu unveiled the school on Friday, September 25, 2026, and charged its personnel to maintain high standards of specialised training and prepare troops for complex airborne and special operations.
The Army Chief described the establishment of the school as a strategic investment in developing highly skilled, agile and mission-ready personnel capable of operating in difficult and changing security environments.
According to him, the changing nature of warfare and the growing sophistication of asymmetric threats require troops who are highly trained, adaptable and capable of operating effectively across diverse operational environments.
Shaibu said airborne and special operations capabilities have become increasingly important in contemporary military operations, particularly in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and other asymmetric security operations.
He tasked the Commandant and instructors of the school to develop and continuously improve rigorous, operationally relevant training programmes that reflect global best practices while addressing Nigeria’s specific security needs.
The COAS said the school would serve as a centre of excellence for airborne operations, parachuting, air assault and other specialised military skills.
He added that the institution would enhance combat readiness and operational flexibility while improving the Army’s ability to rapidly deploy trained personnel in support of joint and multi-agency operations.
Shaibu assured the school of continued support from Army Headquarters through the provision of infrastructure, equipment and manpower needed to fulfil its mandate.
He said the initiative was part of broader efforts to develop a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient Nigerian Army capable of carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Nigerian Army Airborne School, Brig. Gen. Muhammed Sani Usman, said the institution had been upgraded from a wing of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, into a full-fledged school.
Usman said the upgrade was driven by the Army’s force-development efforts and the need to strengthen specialised capabilities, particularly those required to complement the operational employment of Nigerian Army Aviation.
The establishment of the school provides a dedicated institutional framework for developing personnel with specialised airborne skills and strengthening the Army’s capacity to generate forces for evolving operational requirements.
The development is part of the Nigerian Army’s broader focus on specialised force development as it responds to security challenges requiring speed, mobility, precision and coordination across different operational environments.
Source: Nigerian Army
