The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, says the effectiveness of the Nigerian Army will largely depend on the quality of leadership provided by its commanders.
Shaibu stated this on Wednesday in Kaduna at the opening of the Second Senior Command and Leadership Seminar 2026 at the Headquarters 1 Division, Nigerian Army.
The seminar, themed “Strategic Leadership for Effective Command in an Evolving Security Environment,” brought together senior commanders and other stakeholders to discuss contemporary security challenges.
Shaibu said changing warfare required commanders to continuously learn, adapt and strengthen their leadership skills, noting that while equipment, technology and force structure were important, effective leadership determined how well they were deployed.
He identified terrorism, insurgency, banditry, transnational organised crime, cyber threats, disruptive technologies and information warfare as challenges reshaping military operations.
The COAS urged commanders to be innovative, morally courageous and capable of making sound decisions amid uncertainty. He also stressed the importance of discipline, respect for human rights, civilian protection and adherence to Rules of Engagement.
Shaibu warned that misinformation and malign influence operations could undermine public confidence in the military, urging commanders to ensure timely, accurate and credible communication.
He also charged senior commanders to transform the Army’s newly established formations into credible fighting organisations by maintaining high standards, developing future leaders and promoting professionalism.
Shaibu said the expansion of the Army’s force structure from eight to 12 divisions had created new opportunities as well as greater leadership responsibilities.
The Chief of Training (Army), Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro, said the seminar would strengthen the competencies of commanders at operational and strategic levels through realistic and mission-oriented training.
The General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Wase, urged participants to share experiences and develop practical recommendations for improving command effectiveness and operational outcomes.
