Monday, 8 December 2025

Nigerian Army commissions state-of-the-art Wargaming Centre at AFCSC, Jaji


The Nigerian Army has strengthened its drive toward modern, technology-driven military training with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Land Warfare Wargaming Centre at the Department of Land Warfare, Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State. 

The facility marks a significant upgrade in the Army’s training architecture, reinforcing its commitment to sharper operational planning, strategic thinking, and mission preparedness.

The centre was inaugurated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, during an official visit to the institution. The Army leadership described the project as a forward-looking investment designed to enhance the intellectual depth, decision-making capacity, and battlefield readiness of officers. Through advanced simulations and scenario-based exercises, the Wargaming Centre will enable commanders and staff officers to rehearse operations, test strategies, and evaluate multiple courses of action in a controlled and realistic environment.

Wargaming has become a central feature of modern military training across the world. It allows forces to study complex security scenarios, anticipate adversary behavior, assess logistical demands, and reduce the uncertainty that accompanies real combat operations. 

For the Nigerian Army, which continues to confront challenges ranging from insurgency and banditry to internal security operations and peace support missions, this capability is expected to greatly improve coordination, response time, and mission effectiveness.

The strategic location of the facility within AFCSC further elevates its importance. As Nigeria’s foremost institution for training mid-level and senior officers of the Armed Forces, the college plays a critical role in shaping military leadership. The addition of the Wargaming Centre enhances the quality of instruction by blending classroom theory with practical, simulation-based decision-making. Officers undergoing command and staff courses will now be exposed to operational environments that closely mirror real-life combat situations.

Military authorities have indicated that the centre will go beyond routine academic training. It is expected to support real-time operational planning, doctrine development, and structured post-operation reviews. By allowing commanders to evaluate risks and outcomes before executing operations, the facility is designed to reduce casualties, minimise operational errors, and improve overall battlefield performance.

The inauguration of the Wargaming Centre also aligns with the Nigerian Army’s broader modernisation agenda. In recent years, the Army has intensified efforts to improve training standards, strengthen intelligence-driven operations, adopt new technologies, and enhance professionalism across its ranks. The new facility reflects a growing emphasis on data-driven warfare, joint operations, and adaptive military strategy suited to Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.

Beyond its immediate use for training and planning, the centre is expected to serve as a platform for developing innovative doctrines and operational concepts tailored to Nigeria’s unique security environment. Over time, it may also support joint simulations involving other services of the Armed Forces and strengthen collaboration during combined exercises.

The long-term impact of the Wargaming Centre will, however, depend on sustained investment in skilled personnel, secure digital infrastructure, and continuous system upgrades. Military analysts note that the true value of the facility will be measured by how effectively lessons from simulations are translated into real battlefield operations and policy decisions.

Overall, the establishment of the Land Warfare Wargaming Centre at AFCSC, Jaji, represents a major milestone in the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda. By sharpening strategic thinking, strengthening operational planning, and improving command effectiveness, the facility is expected to play a vital role in enhancing national security and reinforcing the Army’s ability to respond decisively to contemporary security threats.

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