Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
In a decisive step towards strengthening the psychological resilience of Nigeria’s military personnel, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, on Friday launched the inaugural Bi-Annual Sensitization Training on Stress Management, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Emotional Intelligence in Sokoto.
The pioneering program targets both serving troops and those recently de-inducted from operational deployments, aiming to address the often-overlooked psychological impact of warfare and internal security operations.
Speaking on behalf of the CDS, Major General Warrah Idris, Director of Innovation and Concept Development at Defence Headquarters, described the training as a timely response to the mounting mental health challenges confronting Nigerian soldiers amidst ongoing counterinsurgency and internal security efforts.
“Our troops face not only the external threats of enemy fire but also the internal battles of trauma, stress, and emotional fatigue.
“These invisible wounds, if ignored, can erode morale, disrupt unit cohesion, and complicate reintegration into civilian life,” General Idris said.
He stressed that military strength is measured not just in weapons and tactics, but in the emotional and psychological endurance of soldiers charged with safeguarding national security.
Commanders at all levels were urged to prioritize mental health as a core leadership responsibility, embedding key lessons from the training into everyday operations to ensure sustained resilience on and off the battlefield.
General Musa reaffirmed his confidence that the program would equip troops with practical tools to manage stress, build emotional resilience, and foster a culture of psychological preparedness and empathy across the Armed Forces.
The CDS also expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to strengthening the Armed Forces through investments in both physical capabilities and emotional well-being.
“Our goal is clear: to build a military that is not only combat-ready but mentally unbreakable—equipped to face both the bullets of battle and the battles within,” General Musa said.
In his welcome remarks, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander of Sector 2, Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, commended the courage of Nigerian troops confronting the psychological strains of modern warfare.
Represented by Brigadier General Abubakar Suru, Chief of Staff of 8 Division, Ajose highlighted that the psychological demands of military service are relentless, requiring a mentally fortified force to overcome mounting security threats.
He lauded the training as both timely and transformative, providing soldiers with practical skills to identify PTSD symptoms early, deploy coping strategies, and strengthen team cohesion through mental wellness.
General Ajose concluded with a firm reminder: “In operational theatres like FANSAN YAMMA, where danger, fatigue, and loss are daily realities, supporting emotional resilience is not optional; it is a mission-critical component of national defense.”
