Commanders must adapt to shifting security realities — COAS

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged senior commanders of the Nigerian Army to strengthen leadership capacities, adapt to shifting security landscapes, and employ mission-specific, intelligence-driven strategies to decisively tackle ongoing insecurity across Nigeria.

The COAS gave the charge on Wednesday, while declaring open the Second Senior Command and Leadership Seminar 2026 at Headquarters 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna.

The seminar, themed “Strategic Leadership for Effective Command in an Evolving Security Environment,” brings together senior commanders and resource persons to strengthen leadership capacity, share operational experiences and develop practical approaches to contemporary command challenges.

Shaibu said contemporary military success depends not only on battlefield superiority but also on credibility, public confidence and effective leadership.

He noted that terrorism, insurgency, banditry, transnational organised crime, cyber threats, disruptive technologies and information warfare have continued to reshape the security environment.

The COAS therefore urged commanders to remain intellectually agile and operationally innovative while exercising sound judgement in conditions of uncertainty.

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

The army chief also drew attention to the growing importance of the information environment, warning that adversaries and other malign actors are increasingly using misinformation, deliberate distortion and manipulation of public perception to undermine military credibility.

He said commanders must therefore factor the information environment into campaign design, operational planning and the conduct of military activities.

According to him, operational decisions must be supported by timely, accurate and credible communication to sustain public confidence and counter attempts to distort military operations.

Shaibu further stressed that professional conduct remains fundamental to protecting the reputation and legitimacy of the Nigerian Army.

“No strategic communication effort can compensate for indiscipline or unprofessional conduct in the field,” the COAS said.

He consequently directed commanders to enforce strict adherence to Rules of Engagement, respect for human rights, protection of civilians and accountability at all levels.

The COAS noted that the actions of troops could have consequences extending far beyond the immediate theatre of operations, making discipline and professionalism essential to the Army’s credibility.

Speaking on the recent expansion of the Nigerian Army’s force structure from eight to twelve divisions, Shaibu described the development as both an opportunity and a major leadership responsibility.

He said the expansion goes beyond increasing manpower and equipment, stressing that senior commanders have a decisive role in transforming the newly established formations into cohesive, credible and combat-ready fighting organisations.

“The values commanders promote, the standards they enforce and the leaders they develop would shape the effectiveness of these formations for years to come,” he said.

The COAS also charged participants to translate lessons from the seminar into tangible improvements in command, campaign planning, operational effectiveness, mentorship and institutional performance.

He urged commanders to build cohesive teams, develop successors, empower subordinates, promote innovation and deepen engagement with communities and legitimate stakeholders within their Areas of Responsibility.

The army chief expressed confidence that the seminar would strengthen the capacity of senior commanders to provide effective leadership and deliver improved operational outcomes in Nigeria’s evolving security environment.