The Nigerian Army has commenced a two-week long assessment of over 500 senior Non-Commissioned Officers shortlisted for promotion to the rank of Warrant Officer, as part of efforts to strengthen leadership and professionalism within its ranks.
The exercise, which involves screening, physical fitness tests and professional evaluation, is being conducted at various Army formations across the country.
Major General Adewale Adekeye, the Army’s Chief Personnel Management, opened the exercise on October 5 at the Cultural Center in Abeokuta, Ogun State, urging candidates to maintain discipline and professionalism throughout the process.
He said the board’s mandate was to identify the most qualified personnel for promotion, adding that only the best would advance to serve at the next level.
To safeguard the integrity of the selections, Gen. Adekeye directed board members to be “fair, firm, professional and dispassionate,” and to avoid favoritism so that “the best can emerge.”
He also disclosed that candidates would undergo comprehensive medical examinations to assess their mental and physical fitness before proceeding further in the exercise.
The promotion board is being hosted by the 81 Division at the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Barracks, Abeokuta, and is scheduled to run from October 5 to October 18, 2026, according to Lt. Col. Iweha Ikedichi, acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the division.
Major General Adebayo Babalola, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, welcomed the candidates and said the division had taken measures to ensure their comfort, thanking Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu for approving and guiding the exercise.
The Army Warrant Officer rank sits above Master Warrant Officer in the Nigerian Army’s enlisted hierarchy and carries significant leadership and technical responsibilities.
Recent 2026 pay reforms have drawn attention to the jump between these ranks, with analysts noting the increase from Master Warrant Officer to Army Warrant Officer is unusually large and merits fine-tuning.
