By Reportcircle News
As Nigeria marked Christmas 2025 and looked ahead to a demanding new year, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, used the season to deliver more than goodwill.
His message to the Nigerian Army was both reflective and strategic, an end-of-year stocktaking and a forward-leaning signal on where the force is headed in 2026.
In a Christmas and New Year address released on December 25, Shaibu extended greetings to officers, soldiers, civilian staff and their families, anchoring his message on gratitude, sacrifice and renewed resolve.
Christmas, he noted, is not merely a celebration but a moment for reflection, one that mirrors the core values of the Nigerian Army: love, discipline, unity and selfless service.
The Army chief drew a direct line between the Christian virtues commemorated at Christmas and the ethos guiding troops across Nigeria’s various theatres of operation.
According to him, the past year tested the institution through complex security challenges, but also revealed its resilience and professionalism.
“Our operations over the past year reflect the courage and discipline of our personnel,” Shaibu said, noting that despite adversity, the Army continues to fulfil its constitutional responsibility of defending the nation.
A central focus of the message was the sacrifice of troops deployed away from their families during the festive season.
Shaibu paid special tribute to soldiers spending Christmas on the frontlines, describing their absence from home as a profound personal cost borne in service of national security.
He stressed that such sacrifices do not go unnoticed by the Nigerian people.
Looking ahead, the Chief of Army Staff outlined a clear leadership agenda for 2026, one anchored on professionalism, combat readiness and institutional reform.
He pledged continued emphasis on sound administration, improved personnel welfare, recognition of excellence and a transparent reward-and-sanction system.
These efforts, he said, are consistent with his command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more adaptable, resilient and combat-ready force capable of operating effectively within joint and multi-agency environments.
The address also acknowledged the often unseen contributors to military effectiveness: the families of serving personnel.
Shaibu described their patience and sacrifice as the backbone of operational success, reaffirming the Army’s commitment to strengthening welfare programmes that support military households.
Beyond the barracks, the Army chief extended appreciation to sister services, intelligence agencies, ministries, state governors, traditional rulers and host communities, describing their cooperation as critical to sustaining security gains nationwide.
As the calendar turns, Shaibu urged personnel to enter 2026 with renewed optimism and determination.
He said the Army will intensify efforts against emerging threats, consolidate gains across operational theatres and deepen counter-insurgency strategies, intelligence coordination and troop welfare.
He also paused to honour fallen soldiers, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices continue to shape a safer Nigeria.
The Army, he assured, remains committed to supporting their families and preserving their legacy.
In a nod to civil-military relations, Shaibu expressed gratitude to President and Commander-in-Chief for what he described as unwavering support and strategic leadership.
He credited the administration with improved funding, upgraded training infrastructure, acquisition of modern equipment and enhanced welfare initiatives for personnel.
The message closed on a note of unity and confidence, calling on the Army to remain disciplined, cohesive and faithful to the trust placed in it by the Nigerian people.
For the Nigerian Army, Christmas 2025 was not just a pause in operations but a moment to reset the compass for a year that promises both new threats and renewed resolve.
