The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, has embarked on a comprehensive familiarization tour of Nigerian Army institutions, establishments, formations and units within his Area of Responsibility (AOR), beginning with a courtesy visit to Headquarters 9 Brigade at TA Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja, on Tuesday, 3rd February 2026. He was received by the Commander 9 Brigade, Brigadier General AO Owolabi, alongside officers of the Brigade, as well as members of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) and the Nigerian Army Soldiers’ Wives Association (NASWA), followed by a regimental inspection of the Quarter Guard and a detailed operational briefing at the Brigade Conference Room.
In a statement released by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the Brigade Commander highlighted achievements recorded so far, outlined operational challenges and sought the GOC’s intervention, while expressing appreciation for the visit and wishing Major General Babalola a successful tour of duty.
Commending the professionalism and commitment of officers and soldiers of 9 Brigade, Major General Babalola urged them to sustain efforts toward ensuring security within the Brigade’s AOR and Lagos State as a whole. He later addressed troops at the parade ground and interacted with members of NAOWA and NASWA at the Calf Officers’ Mess, appreciating their support in stabilizing the home front and encouraging continued prayers for personnel confronting security challenges nationwide. The visit featured a barracks tour, presentation of souvenirs and signing of the visitors’ book.
The GOC continued his engagements on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, with visits to 149 Battalion, 353 Artillery Regiment, the Nigerian Army School of Medical Sciences (NASMS) and the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management (NACOLM), where he inspected Quarter Guards and received briefings from Major A. Suleiman, Lieutenant Colonel A. Bello, and Brigadier General OO Igbineweka respectively. At NACOLM, Major General Babalola emphasized the importance of sustained institutional support in implementing the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy, while the Commandant, Major General AC Adetoba, called for continued synergy between the College and 81 Division.
The 81 Division holds responsibility for security in Lagos and Ogun States, a critical economic hub, requiring high-level synergy and readiness.
Highlights included troop addresses, souvenir presentations, signing of visitors’ books and group photographs.
