By Reportcircle Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has delivered his strongest message yet on the future of Nigeria’s security architecture, declaring that no military can outperform the quality of its leadership and the depth of its training.
He made the assertion on Wednesday during a high-stakes operational tour of the 1 Division Nigerian Army in Kaduna his first since assuming office where he met with commanders, briefed personnel and commissioned new welfare projects.
Addressing senior officers at the Division Auditorium after receiving an operational update, Shaibu warned that Nigeria’s battles against insurgency, banditry and emerging asymmetric threats will be won “only by leaders who inspire confidence, take responsibility and lead from the front.”
“Leadership is the most decisive factor in confronting insecurity,” he said, stressing that officers must embody the discipline, courage and clarity required to protect lives and secure national territory.
He urged commanders at every level to remain figures their soldiers can trust without hesitation.
Speaking separately to soldiers on parade, the Army Chief reinforced the importance of loyalty, discipline and unbroken trust between troops and their commanders.
“You must believe in your leaders. You must obey orders. The army cannot function without it,” he charged, describing cohesive command as a non-negotiable pillar of military professionalism.
Shaibu also underscored the centrality of training, calling it the “best gift” the institution offers its personnel.
He encouraged troops to maximise every course offered across Army training schools and divisional institutions, arguing that competence and personal development determine success on the battlefield.
“A well-trained soldier is the strongest asset this country can deploy,” he noted, linking capacity building directly to operational success.
Reaffirming his commitment to troop welfare, the COAS commissioned a newly constructed soldiers’ canteen at 1 Division Headquarters one of several welfare-focused interventions expected under his command philosophy.
The visit, which comes at a time of heightened insecurity across multiple fronts, signals a renewed push by Army leadership to reinforce frontline units, tighten command structures and improve troop morale.
As his convoy departed the barracks, one message from General Shaibu lingered in the air like an order of battle: “Strong leadership. Relentless training. That is how we win.”
