COAS Waidi Shuaibu: Profile of The Battlefield Strategist to Redefine Nigerian Army Leadership
Major General Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria’s newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), embodies the rare fusion of intellect, tactical brilliance, and operational courage that defines the modern Nigerian military leadership. His career, marked by academic excellence and frontline distinction, has made him one of the most respected officers in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Born on December 18, 1971, in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Major General Shaibu joined the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1989 as a member of the 41 Regular Course and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Armour Corps on September 17, 1994, as a Second Lieutenant.
Academic Excellence and Intellectual Depth
A consummate scholar, General Shaibu stands out as one of the most academically accomplished officers in the Nigerian Army. His educational background spans engineering, public administration, strategic security studies, and leadership research.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Nigerian Defence Academy (1993); a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA); a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Calabar; a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan; and a Master’s in Security and Strategic Studies from the National Defence University, Washington D.C., USA.
Further enriching his leadership credentials, he attended the Harvard Kennedy School’s Leadership for the 21st Century: Chaos, Conflict & Courage Programme and earned an Advanced Executive Certificate in Applied Leadership and Strategy from the National Productivity Centre. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Strategic Studies at the University of Ibadan.
Military Training and Professional Development
Major General Shaibu has undergone extensive military training in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and the United States. His courses include:
Young Officers Armour and Infantry Courses – Nigerian Army Armour School, Bauchi & Infantry School, Jaji
Amphibious Operations Course – Calabar
Junior and Senior Staff Courses – Ghana & Jaji
Defence Resources Management Course – Kenya
Higher Defence Management Course – National Defence College (NDC), Abuja
Counterterrorism Fellows Programme – Washington D.C. (2017)
These diverse experiences have shaped his strategic thinking, adaptability, and leadership approach across multiple theatres of operation.
Operational and Command Experience
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Over three decades, Major General Shaibu has played critical roles in Nigeria’s major counter-terrorism and peacekeeping missions. His operational engagements include:
Operations Harmony, Boyona, Zaman Lafiya, Lafiya Dole, Tura Takaibango, Hadin Kai, Desert Sanity, and Lake Sanity.
He also served in international missions such as the African Union Mission in Sudan, the United Nations Mission in Liberia, and the Nigerian Foreign Training Assistance Mission to Liberia.
His leadership as Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (North-East) Operation Hadin Kai, was particularly transformative. During his tenure, he oversaw some of the most successful counter-insurgency campaigns, restoring stability across key parts of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa States while deepening civil-military cooperation through community engagement and stabilization programs.
Key Command and Staff Appointments
Major General Shaibu’s steady rise through the ranks reflects both competence and dedication. His previous appointments include:
Platoon Commander, 245 Recce Battalion
Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the GOC, 3 Division
Chief Instructor, Nigerian Army Armour School
Commander, 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Bama
General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division and Sector 1 Commander, OP Hadin Kai
Theatre Commander, OPHK (Operation Hadin Kai)
Director of Armour Research, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (current)
Honours and Decorations
For his gallantry and exemplary service, Major General Waidi Shaibu has been decorated with several medals and distinctions, including:
Distinguished Service Star (DSS)
Distinguished Service Order (DSO LR)
Field Command Medal (FCM)
Field Command Medal of Honour (FCMH)Purple Heart Medal (Counter-Insurgency Operations)
Pass Staff College (psc)
Fellow, National Defence College (fdc+)
Member, Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM)
Personal Life
Outside his military responsibilities, Major General Shaibu is known for his love of reading, early morning walks, and deep reflection. He is married and blessed with children.
A Visionary for the New Army
As Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu brings with him a blend of academic intellect, combat-tested experience, and reform-minded leadership. His appointment symbolizes the Army’s renewed commitment to modernization, professionalism, and adaptive warfare in the face of emerging security challenges.
His journey — from armour platoons to theatre command and now to the helm of the Nigerian Army — is a testament to discipline, learning, and unyielding service to the nation.
By PRNigeria
