25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to grooming highly skilled and battle-ready soldiers capable of confronting the nation’s security challenges with renewed strength and resilience.
Shaibu made this known on Wednesday at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State while declaring open a seminar themed “From Trauma to Triumph: Building Combat-Ready Warriors in the Nigerian Army.”
Represented by Maj.-Gen. Ademola Adedoja, Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC), the COAS emphasized that “warrior ethos remains the cornerstone of operational effectiveness.”
He added that the Nigerian Army would continue to play a leading role in the fight against terrorism and insurgency to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty.
The seminar—organised by the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation—aimed to reinforce the warrior spirit, mental resilience, and overall combat readiness of personnel. It also addressed critical issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse among troops.
Lt.-Gen. Shaibu commended the initiative, describing it as a crucial step toward improving operational performance and maintaining a strategic edge amid evolving security threats. He noted that “mental toughness, courage, and unwavering dedication are vital to achieving success in all military missions.”
According to him, the seminar provided a platform to blend battlefield experience with intellectual and doctrinal development—an approach he said would help refine strategies for ensuring long-term national stability.
Highlighting the growing complexity of modern warfare, the COAS called for a more adaptive and holistic operational mindset, while urging participants to make the most of the training opportunity to enhance their professional competence.
Shaibu also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his “steadfast support and strategic direction” toward strengthening the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities.
In his remarks, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Abai—represented by Maj.-Gen. Mohammed Danja, Director of Lessons Learned—explained that the seminar was designed to empower junior and mid-level officers with leadership skills and instill a strong warrior ethos across all ranks.
He further noted that the discussions were aimed at addressing PTSD and discouraging drug abuse within the ranks to ensure optimal combat readiness.
The event featured a series of lectures and interactive sessions, including topics such as “Intensifying Warrior Ethos and Mental Toughness,” “The Impact of Drug and Substance Abuse on Operational Effectiveness,” and “Overcoming Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Nigerian Army.”
(NAN)
