COAS to New Officers: Turn Army’s Expanded Manpower into Combat Power
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu, has charged newly commissioned officers of the Direct Short Service Course 29/2026 to turn the Nigerian Army’s expanding manpower and force structure into greater combat capability.
Shaibu gave the charge on Friday while addressing the officers at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Parade Ground, Jaji, Kaduna State.
A statement by Col. Appolonia Anele, Acting Director, Army Public Relations on Friday.
He said their commissioning came at a critical phase in the transformation of the Nigerian Army, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of an additional 28,000 soldiers.
The COAS said the expansion had placed greater responsibility on the officer corps to translate increased manpower and an enlarged force structure into enhanced operational readiness and effectiveness.
He stressed that additional personnel alone would not guarantee improved security outcomes without competent leadership capable of making sound and timely decisions, particularly in demanding operational environments.
Shaibu therefore urged the new officers to lead by example, earn the trust of their soldiers and place mission accomplishment and troop welfare above personal interests.
He reminded them that while military rank confers authority, character, integrity, competence and personal example were essential to inspiring confidence and willing followership.
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The Army chief also charged the officers to remain combat-ready regardless of their professional specialisations, noting that military service could require them to undertake combat and other operational responsibilities whenever duty called.
He urged them to continually develop their tactical competence, maintain physical fitness and pursue professional development while embracing emerging technologies.
According to him, unmanned systems, surveillance capabilities, intelligence fusion and digital communications are increasingly shaping contemporary military operations.
Shaibu also stressed the importance of joint operations and interagency cooperation in tackling Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
He tasked the officers with building effective professional relationships with the other Services, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies, paramilitary organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
He said operational synergy, intelligence sharing and coordinated action remained critical to achieving mission objectives and protecting civilians.
The commissioning of the DSSC 29/2026 officers followed six months of intensive military training and adds a new cadre of professionally trained officers to the Nigerian Army’s expanding force.
Shaibu 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 and provide solutions rather than excuses.
The COAS further tasked them to lead their troops with courage, fairness and professionalism as the Nigerian Army strengthens its capacity to confront contemporary and emerging security threats across the country.
By PRNigeria
