# Nigerian Army shift to advanced wargaming and simulation

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2025/12/nigerian-army-shift-to-advanced-wargaming-and-simulation/
- Published: 2025-12-19T13:28:42+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

The Nigerian Army has inaugurated an ultra-modern wargaming hub in a move to modernize
its operational readiness and tactical planning. Established under the leadership
of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the center serves
as a primary site for the Department of Land Warfare and as a specialised training
school. This facility integrates advanced simulations to refine decision-making 
processes and joint planning within the force.

This wargaming hub addresses the increasing complexity of modern land warfare by
allowing officers to practice mission-critical judgment in a controlled environment.
By providing a dedicated space for tactical and operational planning, the Army intends
to sharpen the critical thinking skills of its leadership against realistic adversary-
focused scenarios. The adoption of these digital environments reinforces the push
to create a more resilient force capable of responding to evolving battlefield threats.

Nigeria’s simulation architecture relies on established software platforms that 
provide different layers of training fidelity. The Army currently [operates ](https://www.military.africa/2021/07/nigerian-army-conducts-battle-simulation-with-masa-sword-and-vbs4/)
the **Simulated Wargaming for Operational Readiness and Doctrine (SWORD)**, developed
by MASA Group, alongside the **Virtual Battle Space (VBS) Series 4** by Bohemia 
Interactive.

SWORD is a constructive simulation tool designed for high-level command-and-control(
C2) training. It allows senior officers to command large units—from battalions to
divisions—in a simulated theatre of operations. The software automates lower-level
tactical behaviours, allowing commanders to focus on strategic manoeuvres, logistics,
and joint coordination without managing every individual soldier.

In contrast, VBS4 provides a virtual simulation environment focused on the tactical
level. It offers a highly immersive, first-person view of the battlefield, similar
to high-end commercial gaming engines but with military-grade ballistics and sensor
modelling. Soldiers use VBS4 to practice squad-level manoeuvres, convoy protection,
and urban combat. This combination of constructive and virtual tools enables a comprehensive
training regime that covers the full spectrum of military operations.

ADVERTISEMENT

The 2025 budget proposal demonstrates the scale of Nigeria’s investment in simulation
technology. The military has requested a total of approximately N5.2 billion (roughly
$3.28 million) specifically for the acquisition and maintenance of simulators. This
funding is split almost equally between the land and air components to ensure a 
balanced development of joint capabilities. The Army is receiving N2,516,410,110
for Land-based wargaming and tactical simulators, while the Air Force is receiving
N2,686,000,000 for Super Mushshak full-motion flight simulators.

These investments provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional live-fire 
exercises. While live manoeuvres involve substantial logistical complexities and
fuel costs, virtual environments allow for infinite repetitions of high-risk scenarios
with minimal environmental impact and no risk to personnel.

While the Army focuses on ground-based C2, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is simultaneously
[upgrading ](https://www.military.africa/2025/01/nigeria-acquiring-military-simulators/)
its pilot training infrastructure. The NAF is acquiring a full-motion flight simulator
for the MFI-17 Super Mushshak, a robust, single-engine trainer aircraft. This simulator
will allow student pilots to master basic flight manoeuvres and emergency procedures
before transitioning to more advanced platforms.

The NAF has already seen success with higher-tier simulators. In early 2022, the
United States provided an **A-29 Super Tucano** full-flight simulator as part of
a $500 million procurement package. This system allows pilots to practice precision
strike missions and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) tasks in
a virtual replica of the Nigerian theatre.

Furthermore, the NAF has [signed ](https://www.military.africa/2024/09/egypts-ariegsa-to-supply-aircraft-simulators-to-nigeria/)
a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Egyptian firm Ariegsa. This agreement
aims to provide tailored simulation solutions for the entire range of aircraft operated
by the NAF, ensuring that proficiency training is available for every airframe in
the inventory.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The timing of these infrastructure upgrades coincides with increased regional volatility
in West Africa. Recent tensions, such as the attempted coup in Benin, have forced
regional powers to maintain a high state of readiness. Nigeria supported the government
in Benin by deploying troops and air assets, a mission that requires precise planning
and rapid response capabilities.

Exercises like **EX LION HEART**, conducted at the Land Forces Simulation Centre
in Giri, Abuja, [utilise these technologies](https://www.military.africa/2025/03/steady-rise-in-the-adoption-of-simulated-battlefield-technologies-in-africa/)
to build capacity for such contingencies. These exercises serve as a “force multiplier,”
allowing the Army to test operational concepts and multi-agency cooperation before
deploying to actual conflict zones.

By integrating Virtual Reality (VR) and laser-based training systems, African militaries
can bypass some of the logistical hurdles associated with large-scale live drills.
VR environments [allow soldiers to adapt](https://www.military.africa/2023/07/vr-provides-a-cost-effective-training-solutions-for-militaries/)
to hostile factors, such as the presence of snipers or civilian bystanders, in a
safe setting. This immersion helps build the “muscle memory” needed to react effectively
under the high-stress conditions of modern counterinsurgency and transnational terrorism
missions.

The wargaming hub stands as a cornerstone of this digital transformation. It ensures
that the next generation of Nigerian officers is trained in an environment that 
prioritises critical thinking and tactical agility, directly addressing the challenges
of a rapidly changing security landscape.

---

### _Related_