The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has warned that misinformation and unprofessional conduct by personnel could undermine the credibility and public confidence of the Nigerian Army, stressing the need for commanders to effectively manage the information environment while maintaining the highest standards of discipline and professionalism.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the charge on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 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 responses to contemporary command challenges.
The COAS said the changing security environment, characterised by terrorism, insurgency, banditry, transnational organised crime, cyber threats, disruptive technologies and information warfare, requires commanders to remain intellectually agile, operationally innovative and morally courageous.
He particularly warned commanders about the growing influence of the information environment, noting that adversaries and other malign actors increasingly use misinformation, deliberate distortion and manipulation of public perception to undermine military credibility and erode public confidence.
He charged senior commanders of the Nigerian Army to develop the strategic foresight, professional competence and leadership skills required to confront Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Lieutenant General Shaibu therefore urged commanders to integrate the information environment into campaign design and operational planning, while ensuring that military activities are supported by timely, accurate and credible communication.
He stressed that professional conduct remains critical to protecting the reputation and legitimacy of the Nigerian Army, warning that strategic communication cannot compensate for indiscipline or unprofessional conduct in the field.
The COAS consequently directed commanders to enforce strict adherence to the Rules of Engagement, respect for human rights, protection of civilians and accountability at all levels.
Speaking on the recent expansion of the Nigerian Army’s force structure from eight to twelve divisions, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the development as both an opportunity and a major leadership responsibility.
He noted that expanding the Army goes beyond increasing manpower and equipment, stressing that commanders must transform the newly established formations into cohesive, credible and combat-ready fighting organisations.
According to him, the values commanders promote, the standards they enforce and the leaders they develop will determine the effectiveness of the formations for years to come.
The COAS further charged participants to translate lessons from the seminar into practical improvements in command, campaign planning, operational effectiveness, mentorship and institutional performance.
He encouraged commanders to build cohesive teams, develop successors, empower subordinates, promote innovation and strengthen engagement with communities and legitimate stakeholders within their areas of responsibility.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, described the seminar as a critical capacity-building platform for strengthening the competencies of commanders at the operational and strategic levels.
He said realistic, progressive and mission-oriented training remained central to transforming the Nigerian Army into a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
In his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Abubakar Wase, described the seminar as timely, noting that the changing character of warfare, asymmetric threats and rapid technological integration demand resolute ethical leadership and strategic foresight.
The participants were consequently urged to ensure that deliberations at the seminar produce practical outcomes capable of strengthening formations, improving decision-making and enhancing the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
