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Army Extention - COAS tasks new officers to turn manpower into combat power.

COAS CHARGES NEWLY COMMISSIOMED OFFICERS

By Emeka Onuigbo

Updated 29 Sept 20262 min read9 views

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COAS in a group photograph with newly commissined officers
COAS in a group photograph with newly commissined officersPhoto: Archives

Army expansion: COAS tasks new officers to turn manpower into combat power

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged newly commissioned officers of Direct Short Service Course (DSSC) 29/2026 to transform the Nigerian Army’s expanding manpower and force structure into tangible combat power through competent, disciplined and purposeful leadership.

Shaibu gave the charge on Friday, September 25, 2026, while addressing the newly commissioned officers at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Parade Ground, Jaji, Kaduna State.

The COAS said the commissioning came at a critical stage in the transformation of the Nigerian Army, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval for the expansion of the Army from eight to 12 divisions and the recruitment of an additional 28,000 soldiers.

He said the expansion would significantly increase the responsibilities of the officer corps, particularly in ensuring that additional manpower translates into improved operational readiness, effectiveness and combat capability.

According to him, numbers alone cannot guarantee improved security outcomes.

He stressed that the value of an expanded force would ultimately depend on the quality of leadership, the ability of commanders to make sound and timely decisions and their capacity to maintain discipline and operational effectiveness under pressure.

The COAS therefore urged the new officers to lead by example, earn the confidence of their soldiers and place mission accomplishment and troop welfare above personal interests.

He reminded them that military rank provides authority, but character, integrity, competence and personal example are what ultimately generate trust and willing followership.

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He encouraged them to continuously develop their tactical competence, maintain physical fitness and pursue professional development while embracing emerging technologies increasingly shaping modern warfare.

These, he said, include unmanned systems, enhanced surveillance capabilities, intelligence fusion and digital communications.

The Army Chief also stressed the importance of joint operations and inter-agency cooperation in confronting Nigeria’s increasingly complex security environment.

He urged the officers to build effective professional relationships with the other Services, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies, paramilitary organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

He said intelligence sharing, operational synergy and coordinated action remained critical to achieving mission objectives and protecting civilians.

The commissioning of DSSC 29/2026 followed six months of intensive military training and adds another cadre of professionally trained officers to the Nigerian Army’s expanding force structure.

Shaibu tasked the officers to justify the nation’s investment in their training through competence, discipline, loyalty and dedicated service.

He urged them to leave Jaji prepared to accept responsibility, provide solutions rather than excuses and lead their soldiers with courage, fairness and professionalism.

The COAS said the Army’s ongoing expansion must ultimately produce a more capable and responsive force able to confront contemporary and emerging security threats across the country

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