Major General FS Etim has been appointed as the new Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry. This move was part of a broader redeployment announced by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, on January 11, 2025.
General Etim steps into this critical role at a time when the Nigerian Army faces various security challenges, including insurgency, terrorism, and other threats to national stability. His appointment is seen as a strategic effort to enhance the training and readiness of infantry soldiers, which are the backbone of the Army’s ground operations.
Previously, General Etim served in the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, where he was instrumental in modernizing the Nigerian Army’s operational strategies and doctrines. His background in transformation and innovation is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the training methodologies at the School of Infantry.
The Nigerian Army School of Infantry, located in Jaji, Kaduna State, is renowned for its rigorous training programs that produce highly skilled infantry officers and soldiers. The school is tasked not only with basic and advanced infantry training but also with keeping pace with the evolving nature of warfare, including urban combat, counter-insurgency, and peacekeeping operations.
In a statement from the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu highlighted the importance of this appointment, stating, “The redeployment of Major General FS Etim to the Nigerian Army School of Infantry underscores our commitment to ensuring our forces are equipped with the latest tactics and techniques necessary to counter emerging threats. His extensive experience in transformation will be pivotal in shaping the next generation of our infantry leaders.”
General Etim’s leadership is expected to focus on integrating technology with traditional combat training, enhancing the physical and mental toughness of soldiers, and preparing them for multi-domain operations that include cyber and urban warfare. His tenure will also likely see an emphasis on inter-agency cooperation and international military exchanges to broaden the tactical knowledge base of the Nigerian infantry.
The transition of command was officiated in a recent ceremony where General Etim expressed his commitment to elevate the standards of infantry training. “Our infantry is not just the first line of defense but the decisive force in our military operations. My goal is to ensure they are not only ready but superior in every aspect of combat,” he declared.
As General Etim takes the helm, the eyes of both the military community and the nation will be on the developments at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, hoping for a new era of enhanced military readiness and capability.