1 INTRODUCTION

The project team visited Nigeria over the period 21 October to 23 October 1996. For a more detailed itinerary, see Appendix J.

2 SCOPE

The report on peace operations training in Nigeria as presented to the survey team is presented as follows:

background to Nigerian training for peace operations;


military peace operations training;


civilian peacekeeping research and training; and


comments and recommendations by host country.

3 BACKGROUND TO NIGERIAN TRAINING FOR PEACE OPERATIONS

3.1 Nigerian Participation in Peace Operations

Congo (ONUC) 1960-1964, Battalion operations;


New Guinea (UNSF) 1962-1963, Military Observers;


Tanzania (Bilateral agreement) 1964, Battalion operations;


India-Pakistan (UNIPOM) 1965-1966, Military Observers;


Lebanon (UNIFIL) 1978-1983, Battalion operations and Staff Officers;


Chad (HARMONY I, bilateral agreement) 1981-1982, Battalion operations and Staff Officers;


Chad (HARMONY II, OAU) 1982-1983, Brigade operations;


Iran-Iraq (UNIIMOG) 1988-1991, Military Observers;


Liberia (ECOMOG) 1990- Division (-) operations;


Iraq-Kuwait (UNIKOM) 1991, Military Observers;


Angola (UNAVEM II) 1991-1992, Military Observers;


Sierra Leone (NATAG) 1991, Training Team;


Angola (UNAVEM III) 1992-1995, Detachment;


Namibia (UNTAG) 1989-1990, Military Observers;


Western Sahara (MINURSO) 1991, Military Observers;


Cambodia (UNTAC) 1992- 1993, Military Observers;


Somalia (UNOSOM) 1992-1994, Battalion operations and Staff Officers;


Former Republic of Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR) 1992, Battalion operations and Staff Officers;


Mozambique (ONUMOZ) 1992 Military Observers;


Rwanda (UNAMIR) 1993, Battalion operations;


Gambia (NATAG) 1993, Training Team;


Aouzo Strip (UNASOG) 1994, Military Observers; and


Israel (UNTSO) 1995, Military Observers.

3.2 Evolution of Nigerian Training for Peace Operations

Peace-keeping training in Nigeria dates back to 1960, when the Nigerian Army and the Police were invited to participate in the UN peacekeeping operation in the Congo. The training was then initiated to prepare units that were to undertake tours of duty in the mission areas. The initial training, which was basic and of tactical nature, was carried out within unit locations prior to embarkation. It mainly focused on basic skills, such as patrolling, map reading, observation post duties, mine clearing, communication skills, manning of road blocks, first aid, field hygiene and the Geneva Conventions.

By 1978, when Nigeria was again invited to participate in the UN Peacekeeping Operation in Lebanon, it became apparent that the commitment would be greater than in the Congo. Much more was requested from Nigeria in terms of equipment, communications, manpower and operational functions in Lebanon than in the previous participation. During this particular operation, engineering and major construction works, mine clearing, water purification, road improvements, establishment of water points, and air and sea lift of men and equipment by the Nigerian Navy and Air Force were added responsibilities which demanded a greater commitment than the Congo experience. Thus the Nigerian Armed Forces had to embark on intermediate-level training to enhance their performance. This was done at the Infantry Centre and School (ICS)/Command and Staff College Jaji, and the Naval and Air Force Training Commands.

The participation of the Nigerian Armed Forces in operations in Chad and the ongoing operation in Liberia provides yet another set of experiences. Whereas the Chad operation involved only the Army and the Air Force, the ECOWAS initiative involved all three components of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) in the ECOMOG operation in Liberia. In the case of Liberia, the ECOMOG forces had to intervene forcefully, and have since remained in the country to undertake peace making and peace building.

Since the Congo crisis, peace operations training in Nigeria has steadily improved. Not only has the quality of peacekeeping by Nigeria improved, but the size of troop contribution to any operation has steadily grown from a battalion in the Congo to almost a division in Liberia today.

Nigerian experiences during the Chad and Liberian operations were unique, as they were the first peace operations mounted by the OAU and ECOWAS respectively. The lessons learnt are quite extensive. Some of the problems experienced in these two operations include:

failure to outline a clear mandate for the force;


lack of clear definition of the role of the Secretary-General;


placement of contingents under separate commands;


lack of reliable communications;


failure to provide logistic and financial support for the forces;


lack of political will of supportive Governments; and


poor command and control.

Prior to the Congo crisis, the majority of the conflicts were inter-state, and related to territorial disputes which were easily contained by UN observers who were usually not armed. The UN operation in the Congo heralded a significant change, as not only were troops deployed within the borders of a state, but they were also equipped with much heavier armament. Thereafter, the earlier principles of non- interference and self defence changed dramatically, leading to the insertion of armed troops under peace-enforcement as in ECOMOG, and therefore demanding higher standards of training from the participating nations.

Nigeria has not only participated in twenty peace operations since 1960, but has also produced eleven force commanders during this thirty-six year period. This experience has been extensively utilised in the training and preparation of new generations of Nigerian peacekeeping contingents.

4 MILITARY PEACEKEEPING TRAINING

4.1 General Approach

The Nigerian Army has historically been the arm of service most heavily involved in peace operations. The bulk of the training experience and capacity available is thus to be found within the Nigerian Army, which is also by far the largest arm of service. The Nigerian training strategy on peacekeeping is based, at the highest level, on a broad and dedicated curriculum implemented through the National War College, the Centre for Peace Research and Conflict Resolution (CPRCR), the Foreign Service Academy, and the International Training Institute for Peace. Intermediate and basic levels of training are conducted at institutions such as the Infantry Centre and School, the Command and Staff College, corps schools and police colleges. The choice of training institution for peacekeeping is determined by the suitability of the training area, the need to use existing infrastructure to save costs, and the level of training required.

The various logistics corps schools, namely, Supply and Transport, Medical, Ordnance, and Electrical Mechanical Engineers, conduct training in logistics support of forces in combat and peacekeeping roles. This is harmonised in the Army Logistics School where the training is geared toward providing logistics units and sub-units to support military operations.

4.2 National War College

The National War College serves as a centre for peace research and as a national co-ordinator for peacekeeping training in Nigeria. This is in addition to its statutory mission of preparing "selected senior officers of the Armed Forces and their civilian counterparts for higher level policy, command and staff functions ..."

In its co-ordination role, the National War College is responsible for:

co-ordination of all peacekeeping training throughout the Nigerian Armed Forces;



liaison with other training institutions on peacekeeping matters;



liaison with the Defence Headquarters on peacekeeping training matters;



review of peacekeeping training curricula in accordance with experiences in mission areas;



research into peace operations; and



liaison with the International Training Institute for Peace and the recently-established Sani Abacha Foundation for Peace and Unity.

Peacekeeping training at the National War College is based on lectures, discussions, seminars, exercises, research, and war games. The National War College course is aimed at Nigerian and foreign military officers above the rank of lieutenant colonel or equivalent, and their civilian counterparts in government departments.

The National War College curriculum in advanced peacekeeping training includes:

principles and history of peacekeeping;


legal dimensions of peacekeeping;


politics and economics of peacekeeping;


peacekeeping as a military operation;


strategies of peacekeeping;


international and multinational dimension of peacekeeping;


the role of NGOs and the ICRC in peacekeeping operations;


conflicts in Africa, roles of the OAU and sub-regional organisations;


the OAU Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution;


Nigeria's military capacity for regional and global peacekeeping; and


negotiations.

War gaming is integral to the training at the National War College, and is utilised for the conduct of peacekeeping exercises at force headquarters level. The College library has adequate reference materials on Strategy and Peace-Studies.

4.3 Centre for Peace Research and Conflict Resolution (CPRCR) at the National War College

Recognising the need for the development of new approaches to conflict prevention, management and resolution in the post Cold War geostrategic environment, Nigeria established a Centre for Peace Research and Conflict Resolution within the National War College during 1996. The mission and objectives of this newly-established centre include:

to provide senior officers of the Armed Forces, their civilian counterparts, and police officers with knowledge of the causes of conflict and the skills of monitoring and preventing conflict;



to organise and facilitate research on a national, regional and international basis on the sources of conflict and its prevention, monitoring, management and resolution;



to document Nigeria's role and contribution to peacekeeping and to the maintenance of international peace and security;



to develop training programmes on peacekeeping for the armed forces;



to contribute to the preparation of potential peacekeeping force commanders and civilian support staff;



to host national and regional workshops, conferences and seminars on defence and security related issues; and



to utilise the contributions of Nigerian officers who have completed tours of international duty, as well as those of international research fellows.

4.4 Command and Staff College

This tri-service institution was established to develop the professional knowledge and understanding of selected officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces for responsibilities in both staff and command functions, including those related to peacekeeping. Since its inception, the College has admitted officers from other African countries, such as Ghana, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, as well as from non-African countries such as Guyana and the Republic of Korea.

The ten-month command and staff course includes a two-week peacekeeping package. This training package is presented to officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces and their civilian counterparts in the Ministry of Defence. The peacekeeping package commences with lectures on selected topics on the UN/OAU, and ends with a tri-service peacekeeping exercise. This particular exercise is designed to study command and staff problems involved in multinational UN peace operations.

The outline curriculum content includes the following:

historical background of the UN;


the Charter, structure and organisation of the UN;


organisation and functions of the main UN agencies;


the evolution of the UN in a changing international environment;


origins of African membership in the UN;


African contributions to the UN system;


prospects for African influence on the UN Security Council;


the role of the UN in contributing to political stability and economic development in Africa;


the history, concept and conduct of UN peace operations;


lessons learnt from past and ongoing UN peace operations;


the dynamics and future of contemporary UN peacekeeping;


a history of pre-ECOMOG West African sub-regional security co-operation; and


an analysis of the history, evolution and prospects of ECOMOG.

The international aspect of the above package is complemented by one additional week of training on International and Humanitarian Law which is conducted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The majority of Directing Staff of the Command and Staff College have experience of participation in various UN and regional peace operations. Most Nigerian students have also participated in peace operations, particularly in ECOMOG.

The College Library is well stocked with relevant books, journals and project works on peace operations. The Staff College has a large central lecture hall and an adequate number of syndicate rooms, as well as accommodation for one hundred and sixty students. It is equipped with standard training aids such as film projectors, overhead projectors, and computers.

4.5 Infantry Centre and School

The Infantry Centre and School is primarily involved in the training of both officers and other ranks, from privates to lieutenant colonels, as well as paramilitary personnel at the basic levels of operation. This institution conducts the basic peacekeeping training for infantry officers and soldiers, while the various corps schools provide the required peacekeeping training for personnel from the combat support and service support arms.

The Infantry Centre and School is headed by a Commandant (brigadier general), assisted by a Deputy (colonel). The General Staff, Administrative and Logistics Branches are each headed by a grade one staff officer whose duties and responsibilities are co-ordinated by a principal staff officer of the rank of colonel.

There is a Training Team made up of representatives of the combat arms of the Army. This team is under the supervision and control of the Deputy Commandant. There are nine major wings and three training support units.

4.5.1 Young Officers Course

The Young Officers Course is a 13-week course run purely for young subalterns, particularly for officers who have just been commissioned into the Nigerian Army. It is at the Young Officers Course level that peacekeeping lectures are practically conducted. The young officers, who have been introduced to peacekeeping earlier on in training, are further exposed to the basic operational requirements in peacekeeping missions. The focus of training at this level includes:

road block duties;


manning of check points;


escort duties;


guarding of key points and vital points;


cordon and search;


communication skills;


map reading;


patrolling;


ambush and anti- ambush drills; and


impartiality and neutrality of peacekeeping.

Training at this level, both in peacekeeping and combat duties, dovetails into that which is presented on the Company Commanders' Course. Each officer who is appointed as a platoon commander, is responsible for the training of his soldiers.

4.5.2 Company Commanders Course

The peacekeeping training package is similar to that of the Young Officers course, but is focused more on the combat team level. Other areas of emphasis include:

the origin of violence in Africa;


the United Nations and collective security;


international organisations and peacekeeping; and


the roles of soldiers/police in peacekeeping.

This training also dovetails into that which is presented on the Command and Staff College course. The Company Commanders Course is a pre-requisite for entry into Command and Staff College, senior Division.

4.5.3 Commanding Officers' Course

The Commanding Officers' Course is a 12-week course, which is run yearly for officers of the combat and service support formations/units in the Nigerian Army. During this course, discussions and lectures are held on peacekeeping, peace enforcement and general peace studies.

The focus of peacekeeping training at this level is on command and control at the unit level. All participants undertake problem-solving exercises on issues such as: refugee problems; crowd control; the law of war; the nature of war, etc.

4.5.4 Staff and Facilities

The Infantry Centre and School has well-qualified instructors who are experienced in peace operations. Proximity also favours the availability of other instructors from nearby training institutions; particularly the Command and Staff College, Warrant Officers Academy (all in Jaji) and the Nigerian Defence Academy (in Kaduna).

The Infantry Centre and School and Command and Staff College Libraries are both located in Jaji, and provide sufficient source material for academic work. The school has five lecture halls (approximately 150 seats each). In addition, the Infantry Centre and School has 35 syndicate rooms. There is also ample residential accommodation for students. A well staffed and equipped Medical Centre provides routine medical cover for personnel at the institution.

Additional to the facilities for peacekeeping training at the Infantry Centre and School, there are five other training areas dedicated purely for armed forces training. These are the Kachia, Kontagora, Bauchi, Nsukka and Lanlate training areas, which are collectively utilised for all-arms training up to divisional level.

4.6 Naval Training for Peace Operations

With most states of the West African Sub-region having maritime frontiers, the navies of the sub-region in general and the Nigerian Navy in particular, play a prominent role in peace operations. Within the sub-regional security environment, the following three naval tasks have emerged:

sea lift;


maritime policing; and


peace enforcement.

The Naval Training Command undertakes all naval peacekeeping training. The main focus is on issues related to sea lift, naval support for forced entry, maritime policing, casualty evacuation, and humanitarian support.

The first exposure of Nigerian Navy Officers to peacekeeping training is during the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course, which includes instructions and demonstrations on all aspects of peace operations. The concepts of peace enforcement, maritime policing, naval control of shipping, and port security tasking are usually included in all naval exercises. The various specialist courses for senior lieutenants also include peacekeeping packages. Naval ratings similarly benefit from two or three peacekeeping courses, as well as practical training on peacekeeping during fleet exercises.

4.7 Nigerian Air Force Training for Peace Operations

The Nigerian Air Force has contributed to sub-regional peacekeeping in Liberia; continental operations in Chad, Rwanda, Angola and Somalia; and in operations further afield, such as Lebanon, Yugoslavia and Kuwait. Nigerian Air Force involvement in peace operations has thus far included the following:

airlift of peacekeeping troops;


logistics support (strategic and operational);

tactical support, surveillance and liaison duties;


casualty evacuation and rescue;


air traffic control and meteorological facilities;


airfield security; and


airfield maintenance (landing aids, communications equipment, etc.).

The training programme of the Nigerian Air Force therefore includes peacekeeping at all levels of professional training, as provided mainly by the following training institutions:

Flying Instructor School;


Officers Engineering Training School;


School for Electronics and Communication;


Supply Management School;


Airmen Technical School;


Air Traffic Control School;


Air Provost School;


Advance Helicopter School;


Operational Conversion Unit (C-130H); and


Operational Helicopter Unit.

Moreover, advanced training is conducted at training institutions which are integral to operational units, such as the C-130 aircraft Operational Conversion Unit. Further to this training, advance communication skills and peacekeeping training are undertaken at all levels of staff training.

5 CIVILIAN PEACEKEEPING RESEARCH AND TRAINING

5.1 Civilian Police Peacekeeping Training

Since its debut in peace operations in the Congo (1960), the Nigerian Police Force has made an important contribution to Nigerian peacekeeping efforts. The Nigerian Police Force undertakes peacekeeping training at various institutions in Nigeria. The purpose of such training is to provide information and advice to police officers for service in UN missions. This training is particularly geared towards current operations, including the expansion and evaluation of skills through practical exercises needed for UN civilian police duties.

Basic peacekeeping training at the Police Academy and the Police Staff College, as part of scheduled courses, focuses on traffic control, investigations and other police duties. Thereafter, police contingents earmarked for peace operations assemble for a further two-week refresher training programme at the Police College, Ikeja before departure for the mission area. The curriculum outline for this course includes the following:

evolution and organisation of the UN;



organisation and composition of peacekeeping forces;



peacekeeping concepts (types of operation, operational tasks, supervision of force withdrawal, separation of forces, etc.);



geopolitical briefing on the host country;



code of conduct;



mission mandate;



structure, organisation and tasks of UN CIVPOL;



language training;



law of war and human rights;



criminal justice procedures (arrest and detention of prisoners);



communications;



map-reading;



humanitarian assistance and co-operation with NGOs; and



operational and non-operational safety measures.

5.2 The Foreign Service Academy

The role of civilian diplomats in Nigeria's peacekeeping efforts has complemented that of the military. The Foreign Service Academy trains civilian staff, particularly diplomats, on various aspects of peacekeeping, such as the handling of refugees, NGOs, arbitration, and negotiations.

5.3 International Training Institute for Peace, Lagos

As a response to the UN Secretary-General's Agenda for Peace, the Nigerian Government in 1992 authorised the establishment in Lagos of an International Training Institute for Peace, as a capacity-enhancing resource for the international community. The International Training Institute for Peace functions as a think-tank on issues related to the re-conceptualisation of the maintenance of international peace and security in the post Cold War security environment.

During the promotion and planning phase, the Director-General and headquarters staff of the International Training Institute for Peace were to produce a five-volume compendium which defines the present and future demands on the UN collective security system (UN CSS), as well as the ability of the UN CSS to respond adequately to these demands. This phase has now been completed, and every member of the UN CSS will receive a complimentary copy of this compendium.

The International Training Institute for Peace has now embarked upon a second phase, which involves the development of a framework for its capacity-building programmes and projects. This phase will proceed from the conceptual point of departure provided by the content of the compendium. The capacity-building projects will also be based on realistic scenarios which reflect the politics of state power, conflict management, and conflict resolution. These projects will include:

the establishment of the International Training Institute for Peace's decision-making structures (the Board of Governors and Endowment) and the appointment of its International Staff;



the conduct of those capacity-building workshops which have been prepared for discussion with the OAU;



the implementation of programmes for the development of an NGO culture of conflict de-escalation statecraft; and



the implementation of other projects presented in April 1994 to the OAU for consideration.

6 COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY HOST COUNTRY

In respect of peacekeeping training and operations, and the limitations of the OAU regarding conflict resolution in Africa, the Nigerian position at the recently concluded meeting of the Chiefs of Staff of OAU member countries is reiterated. This calls for:

dedicated units to be earmarked in respective African countries;



to be equipped and funded by the various African governments; and



to be available for rapid deployment under OAU Command and control for peace operations.

In order to be effective, the establishment of such a force must be based on the following:

earmarking the various contingents to take charge of specific areas of specialisation;


the adoption of a common doctrine and common training standards;


greater inter-operability of equipment;


adequate logistic support;


effective communications and command and control arrangements; and


efficient medical services.

With regard to the ubiquitous problem of adequate logistic support for peace operations, Nigeria's policy is to resource and implement a logistics and deployment plan independent of host nation support. The exceptions to this are the use of coastal facilities such as seaports, and some airfields that may be available.

At the start of a mission, Nigeria delivers its own units into theatre through points of entry. This is done through sea and air operations. Units may first be assembled in transit camps from where they will be transported to the area of operations by road or air, depending on the situation. Nigeria has successfully deployed a great number of troop rotations in this manner during the course of its involvement in operations in Liberia.

The logistics support system is an integrated one, with all services playing appropriate roles. Training is, however, structured to meet specific requirements of any mission, which could mean the provision of a specialised logistics detachment, such as a transport sub-unit. Nigeria has the capacity and experience to provide independent logistics support to its contingents in any peacekeeping operation in any part of the world.

The need to down-size the Nigerian Armed Forces, coupled with the need to modernise facilities has left the country with some measure of excess training capacity which may be used to the benefit of other African countries.