The 81 Division Garrison has emerged winner of the 2025 Combat Proficiency Competition of 81 Division, Nigerian Army. The keenly contested exercise, which commenced on 18 August 2025 at 192 Battalion, Owode, Ogun State, came to a climax on 21 August with an intense Obstacle Crossing event.
In a statement released by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the competition was designed in line with the Nigerian Army’s Forecast of Events and the Division’s Training Directive 2025. It provided a platform to sharpen leadership skills, enhance professional competence, improve battle readiness and foster esprit de corps among officers especially subalterns who are being groomed for higher responsibilities in an evolving security environment.
Delivering his closing remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Farouk Umar Mijinyawa, commended the formations for their display of courage, resilience and teamwork throughout the competition. He expressed optimism that the exercise had not only improved participants’ proficiency but also strengthened their mental alertness and underscored the importance of collective efforts; key qualities that remain the hallmarks of military service.
At the end of the event, 81 Division Garrison emerged overall winners with 370 points, claiming victories in Combat Swimming and Physical Fitness/Obstacle Crossing categories. 9 Brigade followed closely with 360 points, excelling in Map Reading/Navigation and Skill at Arms/Shooting events. The 45 Engineer Brigade secured third place with 320 points, while 35 Artillery Brigade came fourth with 310 points.
The GOC emphasized that the competition had further prepared the Division for present and future operational tasks and expressed confidence that the gains made would reflect positively in subsequent training and field operations.
The closing ceremony drew the presence of traditional rulers, senior officers, commanders of formations, as well as heads of security agencies and organizations. It featured the presentation of trophies to winning formations, awards to outstanding participants, souvenirs to dignitaries and a vote of thanks by the Commanding Officer of 192 Battalion (Rear) on behalf of the host formation, before closing with group photographs.
