NONWA-GBAM, NIGERIA — The Nigerian Army has commenced a promotion exercise for 1,115 warrant officers at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp in Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area, Rivers State, as part of efforts to evaluate candidates for advancement to the rank of Master Warrant Officer .
The 2026 Warrant Officers–Master Warrant Officers Promotion Board, hosted by Headquarters 6 Division, Nigerian Army, began on September 2 and will run through September 22 . The exercise, which brings together senior non-commissioned officers from various formations across the country, is designed to assess candidates through a comprehensive range of tests including documentation, certificate screening, medical examination, physical fitness tests, weapon handling, drill, computer literacy tests, written examinations, and oral interviews .
Addressing the candidates at the opening ceremony on Thursday, the Chief of Personnel Management (Army), Major General Adewale Adekeye, emphasised the importance of the promotion exercise to the career development and professional progression of senior non-commissioned officers. He urged participants to demonstrate professionalism and give their best performance while cautioning them to operate within the limits of their physical fitness . “Your health and wellbeing remain paramount to the Nigerian Army and your families,” Adekeye told the candidates, assuring them that members of the Promotion Board would conduct the exercise objectively and fairly in accordance with established guidelines .
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force (South-South), Operation Delta Safe, Major General Everest Okoro, welcomed the Chief of Personnel Management and board members to the Division. Okoro expressed confidence in the board’s ability to deliver a fair, transparent, and credible assessment, citing their experience and professional judgment . He commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for approving Headquarters 6 Division as the venue, noting that the decision reflects the Army’s commitment to professional development, merit-based career progression, and continuous improvement of its personnel .
Okoro reminded the candidates that promotion is not merely about attaining a higher rank but about accepting greater responsibilities and meeting higher leadership expectations. “Promotion is not merely about attaining a higher rank, but about assuming greater responsibilities, meeting higher leadership expectations and demonstrating increased commitment to the Service,” he said .
The promotion exercise comes amid broader efforts by the Nigerian Army to strengthen its personnel capacity. President Bola Tinubu recently approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for about 250,000 Armed Forces personnel, effective from September 1, 2026, with warrant officers to colonels receiving a 50 per cent increase . This move is widely seen as a boost to troop morale and a recognition of the sacrifices made by military personnel in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
For the 1,115 warrant officers gathered in Nonwa-Gbam, the next three weeks will determine their professional progression to the highest non-commissioned officer rank in the Army. The rigorous assessment process underscores the Army’s commitment to ensuring that only the most qualified, disciplined, and capable personnel ascend to positions of greater responsibility.
