The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed that strong leadership and continuous training remain fundamental to enhancing the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness in confronting emerging security challenges.
He made this assertion on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, during his operational tour of the 1 Division Area of Responsibility in Kaduna.
After receiving an operational briefing, the COAS addressed officers at the Division Auditorium, stressing that leadership is the most decisive factor in tackling insecurity. He emphasized that effective leadership at all levels is vital to safeguarding lives and property, urging officers to remain exemplary figures whom their troops can trust and depend upon.
Speaking separately to soldiers on parade, General Shaibu underscored that leading troops in battle is a core responsibility of every officer. He called for unwavering dedication, loyalty, and purposeful leadership both on and off the battlefield.
He further charged troops to obey and trust their commanders, highlighting the importance of discipline, loyalty, and commitment in carrying out their constitutional duties.
The COAS also reiterated the crucial role of training in strengthening military professionalism, describing it as the “best gift” the institution offers its personnel.
He encouraged soldiers to maximize the opportunities provided by Nigerian Army training schools and divisional institutions to enhance their competence and personal development.
As part of the visit, General Shaibu commissioned a newly constructed soldiers’ canteen at the Division Headquarters, reaffirming that the welfare of officers and soldiers remains a priority under his leadership.
In a statement, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, noted that the operational tour was the COAS’s first visit to 1 Division since assuming office.
