By Odita Sunday
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged senior commanders of the Nigerian Army to master the rapidly changing security and information environment, warning that military victories could be undermined if the Army loses public confidence through poor communication or unprofessional conduct.
Shaibu gave the charge on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while declaring open the Second Senior Command and Leadership Seminar 2026 at Headquarters 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna.
The seminar, themed “Strategic Leadership for Effective Command in an Evolving Security Environment,” brought together senior commanders and resource persons to examine emerging security challenges, share operational experiences and strengthen strategic leadership within the Army.
The COAS said the changing nature of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, transnational organised crime, cyber threats, disruptive technologies and information warfare required commanders to be intellectually agile, operationally innovative and courageous in making decisions under uncertain conditions.
He particularly warned commanders against underestimating the information domain, noting that adversaries were increasingly deploying misinformation, deliberate distortion and manipulation of public perception to weaken military credibility and erode citizens’ confidence in security institutions.
According to him, “the information environment” must now be integrated into campaign design, operational planning and military activities, with commanders ensuring that operational decisions are backed by timely, accurate and credible communication.
Shaibu also stressed that the Army’s credibility depended heavily on the conduct of its personnel, warning that no strategic communication campaign could repair the damage caused by indiscipline and unprofessional behaviour in the field.
He directed commanders to enforce strict compliance with Rules of Engagement, respect for human rights, protection of civilians and accountability at all levels, stressing that the conduct of soldiers could have consequences extending far beyond the immediate theatre of operations.
The COAS further described the recent expansion of the Nigerian Army’s force structure from eight to 12 divisions as both a major opportunity and a significant leadership responsibility for senior commanders.
He said the expansion was not merely about increasing manpower and equipment but also about building cohesive, credible and combat-ready formations capable of meeting the Army’s constitutional responsibilities.
Shaibu charged commanders to ensure that the values they promote, standards they enforce and leaders they develop would provide a solid foundation for the new formations and determine their effectiveness in the years ahead.
He urged participants to translate lessons from the seminar into practical improvements in command, campaign planning, operational effectiveness, mentorship and institutional performance.
The COAS also tasked commanders to build cohesive teams, develop successors, empower subordinates, encourage innovation and strengthen engagement with communities and legitimate stakeholders within their areas of responsibility.
While declaring the seminar open, Shaibu expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his support for the Nigerian Army, particularly in personnel welfare, operational capability development and institutional transformation.
He said the recent approval for the expansion of the Army’s force structure was a demonstration of the President’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture and enhancing the Army’s capacity to respond to emerging threats.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, described the seminar as a critical platform for building the operational and strategic competencies of commanders.
Okoro said realistic, progressive and mission-oriented training remained central to transforming the Nigerian Army into a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of operating effectively within a joint and multi-agency environment.
Also speaking, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Abubakar Wase, described the seminar as timely, noting that the changing character of warfare, asymmetric threats and rapid technological development demanded resolute ethical leadership and strategic foresight.
He urged participants to ensure that the deliberations produced practical outcomes capable of strengthening formations, improving decision-making and enhancing the overall operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
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