Army Chief Challenges Commanders to Build Stronger Strategic Leadership

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has said the effectiveness of the Nigerian Army would largely depend on the quality of leadership given by the commanders.

General Shaibu said this in Kaduna at the opening of the Second Senior Command and Leadership Seminar 2026, held at Headquarters 1 Division, Nigerian Army.

Themed “Strategic Leadership for Effective Command in an Evolving Security Environment”, the seminar convened senior commanders and other stakeholders to discuss contemporary security challenges.

The COAS said that the seminar has emerged as an important professional platform for the senior Army leadership to reflect on the evolving demands of command, exchange operational experiences and strengthen leadership competencies.

The changing nature of warfare, he said, requires commanders to continually learn, unlearn and relearn, adapting leadership approaches to new realities.

“While equipment, technology and force structure remain key components of military capability, leadership ultimately determines how effectively such capabilities are employed,” he said.

“The COAS said challenges reshaping military operations included terrorism, insurgency, banditry, transnational organized crime, cyber assaults, disruptive technologies and information warfare.

He exhorted commanders to be intellectually nimble, operationally inventive, morally brave and able to make good decisions in uncertainty.

“Strategic leadership is not merely about power, it is about commanders impacting organizational culture, developing future leaders, anticipating change, maintaining institutional credibility and aligning tactical actions with national objectives,” the COAS said.

General Shaibu also highlighted the growing threat of misinformation and malign influence operations, explaining that adversaries may seek to undermine the military by eroding public confidence and distorting perceptions of its activities.

The COAS highlighted the need for timely, accurate and credible communication. Military actions must be professional, lawful, duly documented and withstand scrutiny.

He further stressed the importance of discipline, respect for human rights, the protection of civilians and strict adherence to the rules of engagement, noting that tactical conduct could have strategic consequences.

The COAS directed the senior commanders to build the newly formed formations as credible fighting organizations through high standards, nurturing leaders, cultivating professionalism and building institutional resilience.

The Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, earlier said the seminar provided a robust platform for capacity building and strengthening the competencies of commanders at operational and strategic levels.

“The Department of Army Training will continue to work with the corps, formations and training institutions to develop realistic, progressive and mission-oriented training for today’s operational environments,” he said.