The Nigerian Army’s 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Cantonment, Akure, has emerged overall winner of the 2026 2 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition, defeating five other formations in a week-long contest designed to test combat readiness, endurance, leadership and teamwork among young officers.

The competition, held at the Nigerian Army Cantonment in Akure, featured junior officers from formations under the 2 Division in rigorous military exercises, including obstacle crossing, weapon handling and shooting, swimming, endurance race and tug of war.

At the grand finale, the 32 Artillery Brigade clinched the overall title after an outstanding performance, including victory in the 2.25-kilometre endurance race.

The General officer Commanding 2 Division Ibadan. Major General  Auwalu Mahmuda who was represented by Brigadier General Mohammed Momoh described the event as his first major military engagement since assuming office as GOC about a month ago, expressing satisfaction with the participants’ determination, resilience and esprit de corps throughout the competition.

He said the exercises were designed to build leadership skills, organisational ability, endurance, cooperation and initiative among young officers, noting that these qualities remain critical to operational effectiveness and battlefield success.

The GOC commended all participating formations for their professionalism and competitive spirit, while congratulating the 32 Artillery Brigade for emerging overall champions.

He charged the officers to apply the knowledge and experience gained during the competition in their respective units and formations to enhance operational performance during both routine and combat duties.

Mahmuda also noted that similar combat proficiency competitions had earlier been conducted for corporals and senior non-commissioned officers as part of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to developing leadership and combat skills across all ranks.


He said the successful conduct of the 2026 competition reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to realistic training, personnel development, welfare and sustained operational readiness in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision of building a professional, adaptable, resilient and combat-ready force.


The closing ceremony was attended by commanders of participating formations, representatives of sister security agencies, the Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Mr Gbenga Fasua, the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), and community leaders.