The Nigerian Army has officially graduated 384 female soldiers from the 90 Regular Recruit Intake (90 RRI) following the successful completion of Exercise SHINING STAR 2026. The ceremony took place on October 28, 2026, at the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) in Giri, Abuja.

Major Nsima Essien, the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the Nigerian Army Women Command, confirmed the event through a post on the Army's X handle. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General W. Shaibu NAM, was represented by Major General Umar Gital Yusuf, who served as the Special Guest of Honour.

In his address, Major General Yusuf praised the dedication, resilience, and discipline exhibited by the female soldiers throughout their training. He referred to the completion of Exercise SHINING STAR 2026 as a significant milestone in their military careers and reiterated the Army's commitment to fostering a professional and combat-ready force.

He urged the new graduates to embrace values such as teamwork, courage, loyalty, and professionalism, emphasizing the need to apply the skills and knowledge gained during the exercise in their future military duties. The representative of the COAS also highlighted the importance of ongoing training, physical fitness, and operational readiness to tackle the current security challenges facing the nation.

Colonel S. M. Ahmed, the Acting Commander of the Nigerian Army Women Command, welcomed dignitaries and guests at the ceremony. He underlined the importance of Exercise SHINING STAR 2026 in enhancing the physical fitness, military competence, and operational readiness of the female personnel. He also expressed gratitude to the instructors and support staff who contributed to the successful execution of the exercise.

The graduation ceremony featured impressive demonstrations, including obstacle-crossing and weapons-handling exercises. The female soldiers showcased their skills by stripping and assembling AK-47 rifles while blindfolded, demonstrating their physical endurance and proficiency in essential military tasks.

In total, 14 male personnel from the Headquarters, Directorate of Army Physical Training and 70 male personnel from the 167 Special Forces Battalion participated alongside the female graduates. Eight exceptional personnel, both male and female, received awards for their outstanding performance during the exercise, presented by Colonel Ahmed.

The event attracted numerous senior military officers, representatives from paramilitary agencies, and other invited guests. It concluded with a vote of thanks from one of the award recipients, the presentation of souvenirs, and a group photograph to commemorate the successful completion of the exercise. This graduation marks a step forward in the Nigerian Army's ongoing efforts to enhance personnel development and military readiness in response to the evolving security landscape in Nigeria.