Data management, cornerstone of military operational success — CoAS

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, said yesterday that in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the ability to manage and secure data efficiently is not just a requirement but a cornerstone of operational success and administrative excellence.

General Lagbaja made this observation in Abuja on Tuesday while declaring open the Second Edition of the Army Headquarters, Department of Military Secretary Data Management and Record Keeping Seminar 2024, with the theme “Efficient Data Management and Record Keeping in a Digital Era: An Imperative for Sustaining a Professional Nigerian Army within a Joint Environment.”

Lagbaja, who was the Special Guest of Honour, also expressed the conviction that effective data management and record keeping are fundamental to a successful Army, stating that the seminar offered a valuable opportunity for participants to gain essential knowledge and skills necessary for maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations.

“By focusing on current best practices in our data management and record keeping system, we will ensure that the Nigerian Army remains adaptive, resilient, and capable of meeting the demands of a joint environment,” he said.

Lagbaja said this includes not only traditional military engagements but also the increasingly significant domains of cyber and media operations.

Expressing delight at the participation of various AHQ departments, corps, and formations’ record offices, the Army Chief added that their presence at the seminar demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing their expertise in data management, record keeping, cybersecurity, and document security.

Represented by the Chief of Standard and Evaluation (Army), Maj Gen Olumuyiwa Aiyenigba, the Army Chief said the seminar came at a time when the military is operating in a complex environment, especially in cyber and media domains, while also engaged in numerous national operations.

The Army Chief asserted that these challenges underscore the vital importance of efficient data management and record-keeping for the effective administration of the Nigerian Army.

Earlier in his address of welcome, the Military Secretary (Army), Maj Gen Eyitayo Oyinlola, said the seminar was borne out of the critical necessity to streamline and enhance data management and record-keeping practices within the Nigerian Army in today’s digital era. He noted that the seminar represents a significant milestone in their collective pursuit of excellence in data management and record-keeping within the Nigerian Army.

Oyinlola said the focus of the seminar was to imbue best practices in data management and record keeping, with emphasis on proper document storage and security in a digital era, to foster the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.

“Effective data management and record-keeping ensures the preservation of institutional data and records of vital historical value to facilitate quick decision-making and sound administration of the Nigerian Army for years to come,” he said.

He concluded that the knowledge shared during this seminar will be instrumental in enabling the Nigerian Army to maintain accurate records, facilitate informed decision-making, and optimise its overall effectiveness in administration.