COAS harps on strong leadership for operational effectiveness

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu has urged for strong leadership for operational effectiveness in the Nigerian Army.

Shaibu, represented by the Commander Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Godwin Mutkut, made the call on Monday in Jaji, Kaduna State at the opening of the Warrant Officers’ Academy Course 47/2026 Leadership and Management seminar.

The theme of the seminar is “Transformational Leadership in a Dynamic Environment: Strategies for Warrant Officers to Drive Operational Excellence”.

Shaibu said there is a strong linkage between junior and senior leadership, warning that ineffective leadership at lower levels could negatively affect formations, battalions, regiments and units.

He described leadership and management as global phenomena, noting that decisions taken at all levels significantly impact personnel and determine long-term operational outcomes.

He noted that the dynamic nature of warfare and ongoing security challenges across the country require high standards in military leadership and management.

The COAS urged the course participants to apply realism during the programme by drawing from personal operational experiences to enrich discussions and enhance learning.

He told the participants to consider themselves privileged, as the training is designed to develop leadership capabilities and improve management of subordinates.

Shaibu said that the training would prepare them to play crucial roles in decision-making processes and serve as role models while promoting team spirit and operational effectiveness.

According to him, the seminar would also expand participants’ understanding of the military profession toward achieving national strategic objectives.

He said the participants would benefit from the wealth of experience of resource persons and urged them to maintain positive attitudes during interactions and lectures.

He commended the Warrant Officers’ Academy authorities and leadership for organising the programme, describing warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers as the backbone of the Armed Forces.

Earlier, the Commandant of the Warrant Officers’ Academy, Brig.-Gen. Anthony Wende, said the programme is part of the academy’s training packages aimed at bridging leadership and management gaps between commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

He explained that the academy remains the apex training institution for warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The commandant said the institution provides tools for re-orientation and restructuring, equipping personnel with skills to interpret and relay directives and mentor subordinates.

He added that the training is designed to address factors affecting junior leadership and personnel management in both peace and war situations.

Wende said the leadership programme was conceptualised to equip participants with confidence, integrity, sound judgement and a strong sense of responsibility in discharging their duties.

He said the theme of the seminar was carefully designed to meet course objectives.

According to him, the programme also prepares participants for leadership and managerial roles commensurate with their ranks in a joint and multi-agency environment.

He noted that the participants include personnel from the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy, reflecting growing inter-service collaboration.

Wende said resource persons, comprising serving and retired senior officers, would deliver lectures and share experiences during the programme.

The commandant reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to evolving junior leadership capacity to address contemporary security challenges in the country.

Our correspondent reports that the course has 81 participants, comprising 79 personnel from the Nigerian Army and two from the Nigerian Navy.