The Nigerian Army has graduated 384 female soldiers after they completed a military training exercise aimed at strengthening their physical fitness, weapons-handling skills and operational readiness.
The personnel, drawn from the 90 Regular Recruit Intake (90 RRI), completed Exercise SHINING STAR 2026, with the passing-out ceremony held on Wednesday, October 28, at the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI), Giri, Abuja.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, was represented at the ceremony by Major General Umar Gital Yusuf.
Speaking on behalf of the Army chief, Yusuf commended the soldiers for their discipline, resilience and commitment throughout the exercise, describing its successful completion as an important milestone in their military careers.
He urged the newly trained personnel to demonstrate courage, loyalty, teamwork and professionalism in the discharge of their duties, while applying the skills acquired during the exercise to their operational responsibilities.
He also stressed the importance of continuous training, physical fitness and preparedness in responding to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Earlier, the Acting Commander of the Nigerian Army Women Command, Colonel S. M. Ahmed, said the exercise was designed to improve the soldiers’ physical endurance, military competence, discipline and capacity to perform assigned duties.
Ahmed acknowledged the contributions of military authorities, instructors and other personnel whose efforts supported the successful completion of the training.
A major highlight of the ceremony was a series of military demonstrations, including obstacle crossing and weapons handling. The female soldiers demonstrated their ability to dismantle and reassemble AK-47 rifles while blindfolded, showcasing their proficiency in basic military tasks.
According to Ahmed, the exercise involved 384 female personnel of the 90 RRI, alongside 14 male personnel from the Headquarters, Directorate of Army Physical Training, and 70 male personnel from the 167 Special Forces Battalion.
Eight personnel who distinguished themselves during the exercise received awards in recognition of their performance.
The ceremony was attended by senior military officers from various units and formations, representatives of paramilitary agencies and other invited guests.
The event also featured a vote of thanks by one of the beneficiaries, the presentation of souvenirs and a group photograph to mark the successful conclusion of the exercise.
The training forms part of the Nigerian Army’s efforts to strengthen personnel development and improve professional competence and operational effectiveness amid the country’s security challenges.
The graduation highlights the participation of women in Nigeria’s military workforce and the importance of specialised training in preparing personnel to meet the demands of military service.
