The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, has charged newly commissioned officers of the Direct Short Service Course (DSSC) 29/2026 to provide purposeful, professional and decisive leadership as the Nigerian Army expands its manpower, force structure and operational reach to address evolving national security challenges.
According to a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by the Nigerian Army Spokesperson, Col Appolonia Anele, Gen Shaibu gave the charge while addressing officers at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Parade Ground, Jaji, Kaduna State.
The Army Chief said the commissioning came at a significant stage in the Nigerian Army’s transformation, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval to expand the Army from eight to 12 divisions and recruit an additional 28,000 soldiers.
He said the expansion placed greater responsibility on the officer corps to translate increased manpower and an expanded force structure into enhanced operational readiness, effectiveness and combat power.
Shaibu stressed that increased manpower alone would not guarantee improved security outcomes without competent leadership capable of making sound and timely decisions, particularly under demanding operational conditions.
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 inspire confidence and willing followership among troops.
Shaibu further tasked the officers to remain combat-ready irrespective of their professional specialisations, stressing that military service may require them to undertake combat and other operational responsibilities whenever duty calls.
He urged them to continually develop their tactical competence, maintain physical fitness and pursue professional development while embracing innovation and emerging technologies, including unmanned systems, surveillance capabilities, intelligence fusion and digital communications, which are increasingly shaping contemporary military operations.
The COAS also underscored the importance of jointness and interagency cooperation in addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
He urged the newly commissioned officers to foster effective professional relationships with sister Services, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies, paramilitary organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
He noted that operational synergy, intelligence sharing and coordinated action remain critical to achieving mission objectives and protecting the civilian population.
The statement explained that the commissioning of officers of DSSC 29/2026, following six months of intensive military training, adds a new cadre of professionally trained officers to the Nigerian Army’s expanding force.
It added that the COAS charged them to justify the nation’s investment in their training through competence, discipline, loyalty and dedicated service.
He urged the officers to leave Jaji prepared to accept responsibility, provide solutions rather than excuses, and lead their soldiers with courage, fairness and professionalism as the Nigerian Army continues to strengthen its capacity to confront contemporary and emerging security threats across the country.