The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has called on commanding officers to enhance tactical-level leadership to boost combat readiness across joint and multi-agency operations.
The Army Chief made the call on Tuesday while inaugurating the First Commanding Officers’ Workshop 2026 in Abuja, themed “Enhancing Tactical-Level Leadership in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.”
He was represented at the event by the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Army, Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Abai.
Shaibu described the workshop as a crucial initiative aimed at strengthening training standards and addressing contemporary operational and administrative challenges within the Nigerian Army.
“The theme of this workshop is well-crafted and aligns perfectly with my command philosophy,” he said, noting that commanding officers bear significant responsibility in executing operational directives and achieving favorable outcomes.
He urged participants to use the workshop to critically assess their units’ performance and develop practical strategies to ensure troops remain combat-ready and professionally competent.
“Commanding officers are the critical link between operational and tactical levels of command,” Shaibu said.
“It is imperative that they are continually exposed to the principles of military leadership, art of command, and professional excellence to maintain troops’ combat readiness.”
The COAS also tasked officers with fostering regimentation, discipline, and junior leadership within the Army. He highlighted the importance of mentoring young officers and soldiers under their command.
“You are directly responsible for building a solid foundation of discipline and junior leadership in the Nigerian Army,” Shaibu said.
“Guide your officers and soldiers, provide mentorship and direction, and continually ask yourself how to improve your unit’s performance.”
Maj.-Gen. Maxwell Dangana, Commander of Army Headquarters Garrison, reinforced the need for adaptive, collaborative, and mission-focused leadership in Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.
He noted that threats are increasingly asymmetrical and transnational, demanding coordinated responses from multiple security stakeholders.
“Commanding officers are the link between policy and execution, translating strategic intent into actionable plans,” Dangana said.
He stressed that effective tactical leadership requires seamless collaboration with sister services and other security agencies, as well as understanding their capabilities and limitations.
Similarly, Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro, Chief of Training, Army, urged officers to improve tactical leadership skills to respond effectively to complex security challenges.
He said the initiative supports the COAS’ vision of transforming the Nigerian Army into a professional, adaptable, and combat-ready force.
“Commanding officers drive transformation at the tactical level,” Okoro said, adding that their leadership decisions set standards for discipline, morale, and operational excellence.
He encouraged active participation in lectures and discussions to internalize lessons that enhance leadership effectiveness.
The workshop focuses on improving command efficiency, group administration, cybersecurity awareness, objective performance evaluation, and field equipment maintenance, with the ultimate goal of sustaining a professional and combat-ready Nigerian Army.
