Army Affairs

The Army Affairs Department of the Ministry of Defence has interphased and synergized with the Nigerian Army Headquarters in the effective discharge of the latter’s statutory mandate.

1. The Department has continually provided seamless Administrative and Policy support towards repositioning the Army to become “A Professionally Responsive Nigerian Army in the Discharge of its Constitutional Roles” as encapsulated in the Vision of the Force by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
2. Primarily, the Department was engaged in the following:-
   i. Processing of End User Certificates and Import Duty/VAT Exemption and Waiver Certificates on behalf of the NA.
   ii. Secretariat for the Nigerian Army Council which is the highest ruling body on issues concerning Nigerian Army Personnel and other related matters of the NA.
   iii. Appraisal and Processing of proposals leading to the acquisition, procurement and equipping of the NA.
   iv. Engagement and participating in the COAS Quarterly Conference/Meetings to review and appraise the activities and policies of the NA.
   v. Leading the NA Personnel on Pre-shipment Inspection Exercises outside the country for the acquisition of Hardware, Arms and Ammunition.
3. The Department had Administrative and Support input towards the smooth and successful conduct of the following Exercise/Operations:

a. Operation Lafiya Dole in the North East
b. Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State
c. Operation Delta Safe in the Niger Delta
d. Operation NESA (Nationwide)
e. Operation HARDIN KUNAMA in Zamfara State
f. Operation SHRIN HARIDI in Bauchi and Zamfara States
g. Operation Crocodile Smile in the South East
h. Operation Python Dance in the South East

1. In Procurement, the Nigerian Army acquired and achieved the following ably assisted by the Army Affairs Department in the Ministry:-
   a. Improvised Explosives used to clear theatres of mines and IEDs to Boost Operation Lafiya Dole
   b. Arms (AKMS) Riffles) to boost operational capability of Troops
   c. AMMO to maintain the tempo in the Battle Field
   d. Kitting of Troops
   e. Improvement of Nigerian Army mobility
2. The Nigerian Army commenced and engaged in the underlisted Projects/Constructions assisted by the Department through policy instruments:-
   a. Renovation and Rehabilitation of Nigerian Army Barracks
   b. Construction of Nigerian Army Barracks (Gwosa, Damboa, Gubio, Ipoti Ekiti)
   c. Construction of COAS Guest House in 7 Division Nigerian Army
   d. Upgraded and equipped 44 NARHK
   e. Improvement of Water supply in NA Barracks
   f. Housing Programme for after Service Personnel
   g. Revised the NA ORBAT 2010
3. The Nigerian Army ranks Capacity Building high in its priorities and therefore was able to achieve the following through various trainings:-
   a. Local and Overseas capacity building
   b. Induction of NISISG 3 MUNUSMA
   c. Lectures on Peace Support Operations (Course 23 NDC)
   d. Generation and Deployment of MILOBS in various UN Peace Support Operations
   e. Movement of Stores, Weapons and Logistics items to Units of Peace Support Operations
4. Conclusively, the Army Affairs Department has through effective engagement and collaboration with the Army Headquarters been able to achieve a well motivated, efficient, compact and combat ready Army Force which has recorded huge success in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the country.
   The strong and consistent liaison between the Department and the Army Headquarters yielded excellent result leading to the recapture of the Sambisa Forest and the degradation of the Boko Haram Terrorists.
5. Finally, the milestone achievements of the Nigerian Army ably supported by the Army Affairs Department of the Ministry of Defence did not materialize without some challenges. As the Administrative and Policy ambit of the Nigerian Army, the Department detected inadequacy in the following areas:-
   a. Insufficient Arms and Ammunition stock level
   b. Deficit of Military Personnel
   c. Insufficient funds to acquire equipment for the Military
   d. Arms and Armour procurement very low (MRAPS and Others)
6. Inspite of existing challenge, the Department is poised, more than ever before, ready to partner and synergize further with the Army Headquarters for consolidating the achievements and gains of the NA in the fight against insurgency and terrorism which had earlier bedeviled our dear Fatherland. Adequate provision of the resources and facilities mentioned above will no doubt spur the Nigerian Army to grater height.

ARMY AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
SHIP HOUSE
ABUJA