Nigerian Army Named Africa’s Best Counter-Terrorism Force For

The Nigerian Army has been named Africa’s Best National Army in Counter-Terrorism Operations for 2025 by African Security Watch, an organisation that recognises excellence in security operations across the continent.

Key Highlights:

• Nigerian Army won Africa’s 2025 counter-terrorism award.
• The award was presented to COAS Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu.
• It recognizes the Army’s anti-terrorism efforts.
• Shaibu dedicated it to fallen soldiers.
• He pledged to sustain security gains.

The award was formally presented to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Wednesday at the Army Headquarters in Abuja after it was earlier received on behalf of the Nigerian Army at the African Security Watch Awards Ceremony held in Banjul, The Gambia.

According to a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the award recognises the Army’s operational achievements, strategic leadership and commitment to combating terrorism and violent extremism.

The award was handed over to the Army chief by Major General Teriworie Gagariga, who represented the Nigerian Army at the awards ceremony in The Gambia.

African Security Watch said the recognition was based on the Nigerian Army’s coordinated joint operations, intelligence-driven campaigns, civil-military cooperation, force development and capacity-building efforts.

The organisation noted that the Army’s operations had significantly weakened terrorist networks while contributing to improved national and regional security.
Receiving the award, Shaibu described the recognition as a tribute to the courage, professionalism and sacrifices of Nigerian Army personnel engaged in counter-terrorism and other security operations across the country.

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“The award validates the effectiveness of the Nigerian Army’s evolving counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency strategy and reinforces its position as a continental model for addressing complex security challenges,” he said.

The Chief of Army Staff dedicated the award to officers and soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as their families, saying their sacrifices continue to inspire the military’s efforts to safeguard the country.

He also reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to consolidating its operational gains through intelligence-led operations, improved training, stronger collaboration with other security agencies and enhanced welfare for personnel.

Shaibu further pledged that the Nigerian Army would continue its transformation into a more professional, adaptive, combat-ready and resilient force capable of responding effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges while contributing to peace and stability across Africa.