The 31 Artillery Brigade, in collaboration with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army, has held the 2026 1 Division Inter-Brigade Corporal and Below Competition.

Declaring the competition open at the 31 Artillery Brigade Parade Ground, Military Cantonment, Minna, on April 13, 2026, the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Major-General P.P. Mella, said the event was designed to assess the operational readiness of participating formations and the division as a whole.

He was represented by Major-General M.A. Abdullahi.

According to him, the annual competition has over the years helped to sharpen the skills of Nigerian Army personnel, equipping them to effectively discharge their duties in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

General Mella explained that the exercise aligns with the Chief of Army Staff’s philosophy, which seeks to transform the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient force capable of decisively executing its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.

He noted that the military and other security agencies continue to face complex security challenges across the country, stressing the need for greater cohesion, teamwork, and camaraderie among personnel to effectively address them.

“It is expected that participants will better appreciate the importance of team spirit and healthy competition, becoming both individually and collectively more professional soldiers capable of achieving common goals. The weakest member of any team must still be stronger than the strongest member of the opposing team if victory is to be assured,” he said.

In his remarks, the Commander of 31 Artillery Brigade, Brigadier General M.U. Jibo, urged participants to recognise their role as the backbone of the Nigerian Army, stressing that discipline, teamwork, and fighting spirit must reflect both in their units and on the battlefield.

“Compete hard, compete fairly, and uphold the core values of loyalty, courage, and professionalism,” he charged.
He also commended the organisers for their efforts and appreciated the Niger State Government and residents for their hospitality and support.

The GOC 1 Division Nigerian Army was represented by Major-General A.A. Goni.

The competition featured drills, weapon handling, swimming, map reading, a 10-kilometre cross-country race, and obstacle crossing.

Participating formations included 3 Brigade Kano, 18 Brigade Bida, 1 Division Garrison Kaduna, and 31 Artillery Brigade Minna.

At the end of the competition, 31 Artillery Brigade, Minna emerged first place, followed by 3 Brigade Kano in second, 1 Division Garrison Kaduna in third, while 18 Brigade Bida came fourth.