Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has thanked President Bola Tinubu, military leaders, traditional rulers, diplomats and other stakeholders who supported the public presentation of a book examining his years at the helm of the Nigerian Army.

The book, Military Transformational Leadership in Action: The Buratai Era, written by Dr M.S. Abubakar, was presented on September 16, 2026, at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites, Asokoro, Abuja.

Buratai, who served as Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021 and later as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Republic of Benin, said the event demonstrated the importance of documenting the experiences of national institutions and preserving lessons from Nigeria’s military history.

In a statement issued after the presentation, he expressed appreciation to Tinubu, who served as Special Guest of Honour and was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bekearedebo Augusta Warrens.

Tinubu’s message at the event stressed the importance of documenting the experiences of national institutions and their leaders to preserve historical knowledge and provide lessons for future generations.

Buratai also thanked the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, for supporting the Federal Government’s participation in the event.

He acknowledged the chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Umaru Abdul Mutallab, as well as the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), who presented the book.

Musa, who served in senior military positions during Buratai’s tenure, described the former Army Chief’s years in office as a period marked by efforts to reform training, equipment, troop welfare and professionalism.

The Defence Minister’s assessment formed part of discussions at the presentation examining Buratai’s leadership and the Nigerian Army’s response to security challenges during his tenure.

Buratai also expressed appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, and the service chiefs for sending representatives to the event.

They included Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.

According to the former Army Chief, the participation of serving military leaders reinforced the importance of preserving institutional knowledge and examining lessons from previous military administrations.

Buratai also singled out businessman Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, who served as Chief Launcher and was represented by Alhaji Inuwa Baba.

“We are deeply grateful, Chief Launcher, for your presence and your support,” Buratai said.

Other personalities acknowledged included the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II; Senator Ali Ndume; and former Commander of the Vatican Gendarmerie Corps, Lt. Gen. Domenico Giani (retd.).

Giani used the Abuja gathering to argue that military operations alone could not provide lasting solutions to contemporary security challenges, calling for attention to underlying issues including education, economic opportunities, justice and social development.

The event also featured discussions involving security practitioners and academics on military leadership, defence and institutional reform.

Buratai thanked participants in the discussions, including Prof. Phillip Dahida, Amina Akano-Bello, Maj. Gen. Victor Ezugwu (retd.), Maj. Gen. J.G.K. Myam (retd.) and Rear Admiral Adamu Biu (retd.).

He also acknowledged traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic community who attended the presentation.

Buratai commended Abubakar, the author of the book, for what he described as his scholarly work in documenting the period.

The publication examines Buratai’s tenure as Army Chief against the backdrop of the Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges confronting the country between 2015 and 2021.

It addresses issues including military leadership, institutional reforms, training, equipment, personnel welfare and counter-insurgency operations.

The assessments contained in the book and comments made by speakers at its launch represent their interpretations of Buratai’s record and the reforms undertaken during his tenure.

Buratai said the presentation should ultimately be viewed as a collective effort rather than the achievement of one individual.

“The success of the event was not the achievement of any one individual or institution. It was the result of collective effort, shared purpose, and the generosity of all who believe in the importance of preserving Nigeria’s institutional memory and learning from its history,” he said.

He also thanked the Buratai Legacy Presentation Committee, Sprezzatura Publishing Limited and Clarivox Creative Limited for their roles in organising the event and producing the publication.

Journalists, editors and publishers who covered the presentation were also acknowledged for taking the discussions beyond the conference venue.

Buratai expressed hope that the book would contribute to wider discussions about military leadership, national security and the value of documenting institutional experience.

The former Army Chief has argued that Nigeria’s experience with terrorism and insurgency demonstrates that military force alone cannot provide a lasting solution to insecurity, and that effective civil-military relations and cooperation between government institutions and communities remain important to national security.

The Abuja presentation consequently provided not only an assessment of Buratai’s tenure, but also a platform for broader discussion about what lessons from previous security operations could mean for Nigeria’s continuing efforts to address insecurity.