By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged newly commissioned officers of Direct Short Service Course (DSSC) 29/2026 to provide purposeful, professional and decisive leadership as the Nigerian Army expands its manpower and operational reach.
This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the charge on Friday, September 25, 2026, while addressing the officers at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Parade Ground, Jaji, Kaduna State.
He noted that their commissioning comes at a significant phase in the transformation of the Nigerian Army, following the approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the expansion of the Army from 8 to 12 Divisions and the recruitment of an additional 28,000 soldiers.
The COAS stated that the expansion places greater responsibility on the officer corps to translate increased manpower and expanded force structure into enhanced operational readiness and combat power. He stressed that increased manpower alone would not guarantee improved security outcomes without competent leadership capable of making sound and timely decisions.
General Shaibu charged the new officers to lead by example, earn the trust and confidence of their soldiers, and place mission accomplishment and troop welfare above personal interest. He reminded them that while rank confers authority, it is character, integrity, competence and personal example that inspire confidence and willing followership.
The COAS further tasked the officers to remain combat-ready irrespective of their professional specialisations, stressing that the demands of military service may require them to undertake combat responsibilities whenever duty calls. He urged them to continually develop tactical competence, maintain physical fitness and embrace innovation and emerging technologies, including unmanned systems, surveillance capabilities and intelligence fusion.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also underscored the importance of jointness and interagency cooperation, urging the officers to foster effective relationships with sister Services, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies and paramilitary organisations.
The commissioning of officers of DSSC 29/2026, following six months of intensive military training, adds a new cadre of professionally trained officers to the Army’s expanding force.
