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.
Desk: Defence & Security
Date: 25 September 2026
Time: 13:45 WAT
Location: Jaji, Kaduna State, Nigeria
The COAS gave the charge on Friday, 25 September 2026, while addressing the newly commissioned officers of Direct Short Service Course 29/2026 at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Parade Ground, Jaji, Kaduna State, as they formally joined the officer corps after six months of intensive military training.
He noted that their commissioning comes at a significant phase 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.
In a statement issued by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS said 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.
Lieutenant General Shaibu 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.
He 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, character, integrity, competence and personal example are essential to inspiring confidence and willing followership among troops.
The COAS further tasked the officers to remain combat-ready irrespective of their professional specialisations, noting that military service may require them to undertake combat and other operational responsibilities whenever duty calls.
He urged them to continually develop their tactical competence, maintain physical fitness and pursue professional development while embracing innovation and emerging technologies, including unmanned systems, surveillance capabilities, intelligence fusion and digital communications, which are increasingly shaping contemporary military operations.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also underscored the importance of jointness and interagency cooperation in addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges. He urged the newly commissioned officers to foster effective professional relationships with sister Services, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies, paramilitary organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
He noted that operational synergy, intelligence sharing and coordinated action remain critical to achieving mission objectives and protecting the civilian population.
The commissioning of DSSC 29/2026 officers, following six months of intensive military training, adds a new cadre of professionally trained officers to the Nigerian Army’s expanding force. The COAS charged them to justify the nation’s investment in their training through competence, discipline, loyalty and dedicated service.
Lieutenant General Shaibu urged the officers to leave Jaji prepared to accept responsibility, provide solutions rather than excuses, and lead their soldiers with courage, fairness and professionalism as the Nigerian Army continues to strengthen its capacity to confront contemporary and emerging security threats across the country.
🏷️ Tags: Waidi Shaibu, Nigerian Army, DSSC 29/2026, Army Expansion, Combat Power, Officer Training
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