By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has said the Nigerian Army’s ongoing expansion must translate into greater operational capability, readiness and combat effectiveness to enable the force respond more effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Shaibu stated this on Friday at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Parade Ground, Jaji, Kaduna State, while addressing newly commissioned officers of Direct Short Service Course (DSSC) 29/2026.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS said the commissioning of the officers came at a significant phase in the transformation of the Nigerian Army following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Army from eight to 12 Divisions and the recruitment of an additional 28,000 soldiers.
He said the expanded manpower and force structure would place greater responsibility on the officer corps to convert increased personnel strength into enhanced operational readiness and combat power.
Shaibu stressed that manpower expansion alone could not guarantee improved security outcomes without competent leadership capable of making sound and timely decisions, particularly in demanding operational environments.
He therefore charged the new officers to lead by example, earn the trust and confidence of their soldiers and place mission accomplishment and troop welfare above personal interest.
The COAS reminded them that while rank confers authority, character, integrity, competence and personal example remain critical to inspiring confidence and willing followership among troops.
He also tasked the officers to remain combat-ready irrespective of their professional specialisations, urging them to continually develop their tactical competence, maintain physical fitness and pursue professional development.
Shaibu further encouraged the officers to embrace emerging technologies, including unmanned systems, surveillance capabilities, intelligence fusion and digital communications, which he said are increasingly shaping contemporary military operations.
The COAS also underscored the importance of jointness and interagency cooperation in addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges, urging the officers to build effective professional relationships with sister Services, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies, paramilitary organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
He said operational synergy, intelligence sharing and coordinated action remained critical to achieving mission objectives and protecting the civilian population.
Shaibu charged the newly commissioned officers to justify the nation’s investment in their training through competence, discipline, loyalty and dedicated service, urging them to accept responsibility, provide solutions rather than excuses, and lead their soldiers with courage, fairness and professionalism.
