COAS urges commanders to strengthen leadership, combat insecurity

Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has called upon senior commanders of the Nigerian Army to cultivate strategic foresight, professional competence, and exemplary leadership. Speaking at the Second Senior Command and Leadership Seminar 2026 in Kaduna, themed "Strategic Leadership for Effective Command in an Evolving Security Environment," Shaibu stressed that modern military success hinges not only on battlefield prowess but also on credibility, public confidence, and effective command.

Shaibu acknowledged the increasingly complex and dynamic nature of the security landscape, which is being reshaped by a range of threats including terrorism, insurgency, banditry, transnational organized crime, cyber warfare, disruptive technologies, and information warfare. In response, he urged commanders to remain intellectually agile and operationally innovative. They must exercise sound judgment even when faced with uncertainty, demonstrating moral courage and a commitment to ethical conduct.

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Commanders must remain intellectually agile, operationally innovative and morally courageous, while exercising sound judgement in conditions of uncertainty.

The COAS specifically drew attention to the critical role of the information environment. He warned that adversaries and malicious actors are increasingly exploiting misinformation and manipulating public perception to erode the military's credibility. Therefore, commanders must integrate the information environment into their campaign designs and operational planning. Effective communication, Shaibu insisted, must be timely, accurate, and credible to sustain public trust and counteract distorted narratives about military operations.

Furthermore, Shaibu underscored the fundamental importance of professional conduct in safeguarding the Nigerian Army's reputation and legitimacy. He stated unequivocally that "No strategic communication effort can compensate for indiscipline or unprofessional conduct in the field." Consequently, he directed commanders to enforce strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement, respect for human rights, the protection of civilians, and accountability at all levels. The COAS emphasized that the actions of troops have far-reaching consequences, making discipline and professionalism indispensable for the Army's credibility.

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No strategic communication effort can compensate for indiscipline or unprofessional conduct in the field.