Grand finale of Exercise Mugun Bugu 2025, Faskari

It is with profound honour and deep appreciation that I stand before you today to address this distinguished gathering at the Grand Finale of Exercise MUGUN BUGU 2025 — the apex field training exercise of the Nigerian Army, now proudly hosted here in our beloved Katsina State.

First and foremost, I extend my most sincere gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, for their visionary leadership and for selecting Katsina State as the venue for this prestigious national military exercise. This decision is not only a vote of confidence in our state’s security infrastructure and logistical capacity, but also a powerful affirmation of our shared commitment to national stability and territorial integrity.

I also wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Army Training Command, and to all officers and personnel who have worked tirelessly to plan, coordinate, and execute this complex and critical operation. Your professionalism, discipline, and dedication are truly commendable and serve as an inspiration to us all.

Distinguished guests, the hosting of Exercise MUGUN BUGU in Katsina State is more than a military event; it is a strategic milestone. For decades, this exercise was traditionally held in Niger State. The decision to relocate it to Katsina State underscores the growing importance of our state as a key operational theatre in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency and internal security architecture.

This exercise, designed to test and hone the skills of our gallant troops in both conventional and asymmetric warfare within a joint environment which serves as a vital purpose for ensuring our armed forces remain prepared, agile, and effective in safeguarding our nation’s peace and sovereignty.

Let me be unequivocal: the Government and people of Katsina State stand firmly behind the Nigerian Army. We recognize the immense sacrifices made by our soldiers — often far from their families, enduring harsh conditions, and placing their lives on the line to protect ours. In return, we pledge our full cooperation, unwavering support, and continued partnership in ensuring that your mission in our state is executed seamlessly and successfully.

To that end, we have mobilized all necessary resources from logistics and transportation to accommodation and community engagement to facilitate this exercise. We have strengthened collaboration between our state security agencies and the military command, enhanced intelligence sharing, and ensured rapid response mechanisms are in place to support your operations.

We understand that the success of any military undertaking depends not only on hardware and strategy, but on the trust and cooperation of the local population. I therefore call upon all residents of Katsina State, especially those in the Faskari Local Government Area, to welcome our troops with warmth and hospitality. Let us demonstrate that we are not merely hosts, but active partners in the collective defence of our nation.

As we witness the culmination of this exercise today, let us also reflect on its broader significance. In an era marked by evolving security threats from insurgency and banditry to transnational crime and cyber warfare — the need for a strong, modern, and well-trained military has never been greater. Exercise MUGUN BUGU is not just about drills and maneuvers; it is about readiness, resilience, and reassurance to every Nigerian that our Armed Forces are capable, committed, and ready to defend our land and our way of life.

In closing, I once again commend the Nigerian Army for choosing Katsina State as the stage for this landmark exercise. We are proud to host you. We are grateful for your presence. And we are confident that the lessons learned here will strengthen our nation’s security posture for years to come.

To our brave soldiers: your courage inspires us. Your service humbles us. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

May God bless the Nigerian Army.

May God bless Katsina State.

And May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you.