The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged senior Nigerian Army commanders to demonstrate strategic foresight, professional competence and exemplary leadership in confronting the country’s increasingly complex security challenges.
Shaibu gave the charge on Wednesday while declaring open the Second Senior Command and Leadership Seminar 2026 at the Headquarters of 1 Division Nigerian Army in Kaduna.
The seminar, themed “Strategic Leadership for Effective Command in an Evolving Security Environment,” brings together senior commanders and resource persons to strengthen leadership capacity, share operational experiences and develop practical responses to contemporary security challenges.
The army chief said military success now depends not only on battlefield superiority but also on credibility, public confidence and effective leadership.
He identified terrorism, insurgency, banditry, transnational organised crime, cyber threats, disruptive technologies and information warfare as factors reshaping Nigeria’s security environment.
Shaibu urged commanders to remain intellectually agile, operationally innovative and morally courageous while making sound decisions in uncertain conditions.
He also warned about the growing use of misinformation and deliberate manipulation by adversaries and other malign actors to undermine public confidence in military operations.
The COAS said commanders must therefore incorporate the information environment into campaign design, operational planning and military activities, while ensuring that operational decisions are supported by timely, accurate and credible communication.
Shaibu also stressed that professional conduct remains essential to protecting the reputation and legitimacy of the Nigerian Army.
He directed commanders to enforce strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement, respect for human rights, protection of civilians and accountability at all levels.
The army chief said indiscipline or unprofessional conduct could undermine the effectiveness of strategic communication and damage the Army’s credibility.
On the recent expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, Shaibu described the development as both an opportunity and a major leadership responsibility.
He said the expansion goes beyond increasing manpower and equipment, adding that senior commanders must ensure the new formations become cohesive, credible and combat-ready fighting organisations.
Shaibu urged participants to translate lessons from the seminar into improvements in command, campaign planning, operational effectiveness, mentorship and institutional performance.
He also charged commanders to build cohesive teams, develop successors, empower subordinates, promote innovation and strengthen engagement with communities and legitimate stakeholders within their areas of responsibility.
The COAS expressed confidence that the seminar would enhance the capacity of senior commanders to provide effective leadership and improve operational outcomes in Nigeria’s evolving security environment.
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