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, force structure and operational reach to address evolving national security challenges.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the charge on Friday, 25 September 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 the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, 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 an expanded force structure into enhanced operational readiness, effectiveness 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, particularly under demanding operational conditions.
General Shaibu therefore 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 among troops.
