By ABIODUN LAWAL

The 2026 Lieutenant-to-Captain practical examination of the Nigerian Army began on Sunday in Abeokuta, with 364 candidates participating.

Addressing the candidates at the June 12 cultural center, Abeokuta, the Examination President, Maj.-Gen. Peter Malla, congratulated the officers selected for the promotion exercise.

He described the examination as a crucial milestone in their military careers.

Malla noted that the promotion examination was an opportunity to lay a solid foundation for further consolidation of their chosen career.

He stressed that success in the Nigerian Army goes beyond academic knowledge, requiring discipline, courage, dedication, and adherence to the Army’s core values.

“Your performance in this examination will define your progress in the Nigerian Army. I advise you all to accord this examination the seriousness and determination it deserves.

“I assure you that I and the rest of the examination officials are not here to fail any of you,” he said.

The examination president explained that the examination covered key military competencies including tactics and low intensity conflicts, map reading, communication, skill at arms, and physical fitness among others.

According to him, the test is designed to reflect real-life operational challenges, including counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, internal security, and peace support operations.

He warned candidates that cheating or examination malpractice would result in immediate disqualification, in line with the Nigerian Army Charter for Promotion Examinations.

“Any candidate caught engaging in malpractice or unauthorised communication will be disqualified. The integrity of this examination will not be compromised.

“This examination is not just an assessment, but a test of your readiness to assume higher responsibilities now and in the future,” he said.

Reaffirming the Army’s commitment to fairness, the examination president assured candidates of transparent assessment and unbiased marking, just as he urged candidates to remain confident, focused, and committed to lawful success.

Also speaking at the event, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Adebayo Babalola, described the promotion examination as “more than an academic exercise.”

He emphasised that candidates would be judged on their ability to translate knowledge into effective action.

“Your performance here will reflect not only what you know, but how you can apply it practically in real operational environments,” he added. (NAN)