By Chimezie Godfrey
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has unveiled a new Command Philosophy designed to reposition the Nigerian Army as a professional, agile and combat-effective force.
The COAS articulated the vision on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, during a lecture to participants of Senior Course 48 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the doctrine is anchored on five pillars captured in the acronym PROSE.
In his presentation, Lieutenant General Shaibu said effective leadership in today’s complex security environment must be built on character, courage and genuine concern for personnel.
He noted that the Nigerian Army is currently engaged in counterinsurgency, counterterrorism and other internal security operations across the country’s geopolitical zones, describing the operating environment as volatile and multi-dimensional.
“The new Command Philosophy is designed to accelerate the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a force fully capable of decisively fulfilling its constitutional mandate within joint and multi-agency frameworks,” he stated.
The PROSE framework stands for Professional Excellence, Robust Administration, Operational Readiness, Strategic Cooperation and Exemplary Leadership.
The COAS explained that the pillars are anchored on a Soldier-First Culture that prioritises personnel welfare, morale, training and dignity as foundations of combat effectiveness.
He further stressed that operational success includes building public trust, strengthening civil-military relations and adhering strictly to the rule of law.
Shaibu charged the participants, described as future operational and strategic leaders, to internalise the philosophy and translate it into measurable impact within their commands.
Colonel Anele noted that the PROSE doctrine marks a strategic shift aimed at balancing ongoing security operations with long-term institutional reform and modernisation.