Nigerian Army Chief: Soldiers Are Our Most Critical Asset

The Nigerian Army's Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has underscored the paramount importance of soldiers, declaring them the most critical asset within the Nigerian Army. Speaking at the COAS First Bi-Annual Conference 2026 in Abuja, Shaibu emphasized that the courage, discipline, and sacrifice of these soldiers form the bedrock of the Army's operational prowess and its success in national security.

During the conference, senior officers convened to assess the operational activities of the first half of the year and chart strategic priorities. A key directive from Shaibu was for commanders to implement a revitalized counter-terrorism approach across all operational theaters, aiming to decisively defeat insurgency and establish lasting peace and security throughout Nigeria. The conference served as a crucial platform for evaluating preparedness, identifying emerging security threats, and devising practical strategies to enhance nationwide operational effectiveness.

Shaibu highlighted that the conference reinforced institutional accountability and professional standards, urging commanders to translate deliberations into tangible actions. He articulated that the true measure of the conference's value would be in the effective implementation of its resolutions at all command levels. "It is evident that a well-motivated soldier operating in a conducive environment will undoubtedly demonstrate higher morale, loyalty and effectiveness. In this regard, our soldier-first culture remains central to our command philosophy, as the soldier is the Nigerian Army’s most critical asset," he stated, underscoring the necessity of welfare initiatives like timely entitlement payments, improved healthcare, educational support, and enhanced welfare packages to maintain combat effectiveness.

The Army Chief also noted the maturity and solution-oriented nature of the discussions, with commanders focusing on innovation. He pointed to ongoing investments in capability enhancement, such as the acquisition of additional TB2 drones and the development of Nigerian Army aviation for combat, as significant steps in bolstering surveillance, target acquisition, precision strike, and casualty evacuation capabilities. This forward-looking approach, he believes, is essential for confronting modern threats and sustaining the Army's transformation agenda for future generations.

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It is evident that a well-motivated soldier operating in a conducive environment will undoubtedly demonstrate higher morale, loyalty and effectiveness. In this regard, our soldier-first culture remains central to our command philosophy, as the soldier is the Nigerian Army’s most critical asset.