COAS Charges Commanders To Tackle Information Warfare, Boost Army’s Public Credibility
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged senior Nigerian Army commanders to sharpen their strategic leadership and master the rapidly evolving security and information environment.
Shaibu gave the charge on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, while declaring open the Second Senior Command and Leadership Seminar 2026 at Headquarters 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna, with the theme, “Strategic Leadership for Effective Command in an Evolving Security Environment”, where he warned that military success now depends as much on credibility and public confidence as on battlefield capability.
He said the growing threats of terrorism, insurgency, banditry, transnational organised crime, cyber threats, disruptive technologies and information warfare require commanders who are intellectually agile, operationally innovative and capable of making sound decisions amid uncertainty.
The COAS particularly warned that adversaries and other malign actors are increasingly exploiting misinformation and manipulation of public perception to undermine military credibility and erode public trust.
He therefore directed commanders to integrate the information environment into campaign design and operational planning, stressing that timely, accurate and credible communication must complement military operations.
Shaibu, however, cautioned that effective communication cannot compensate for misconduct, insisting that professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights remain central to the Army’s legitimacy.
He directed commanders to ensure strict adherence to Rules of Engagement, protection of civilians and accountability, noting that the conduct of troops can have consequences far beyond the immediate theatre of operations.
On the recent expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, the COAS described the development as both an opportunity and a major leadership responsibility. He said the expansion must go beyond increased manpower and equipment to producing cohesive, credible and combat-ready formations.
He charged senior commanders to use the seminar’s lessons to improve campaign planning, decision-making, mentorship, operational effectiveness and institutional performance, while developing successors, empowering subordinates and strengthening engagement with communities and legitimate stakeholders.
The COAS also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support for the Nigerian Army, particularly in personnel welfare, capability development and institutional transformation, noting that the approval for the expansion of the Army’s force structure demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s defence architecture.
Earlier, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, described the seminar as a critical platform for strengthening commanders’ operational and strategic competencies. He said realistic, progressive and mission-oriented training remained essential to building a professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient Army.
The General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Major General Abubakar Wase, also described the seminar as timely, noting that the changing character of warfare, asymmetric threats and rapid technological advances demand ethical leadership and strategic foresight.
Participants were urged to translate the seminar’s deliberations into practical measures that would strengthen formations, improve decision-making and enhance the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
