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 specialised capabilities to confront evolving national security challenges.
Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the charge on Friday, 25 September 2026, at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Parade Ground, Jaji, Kaduna State, while also unveiling the Nigerian Army Airborne Training School at the Jaji Military Cantonment.
He noted that the 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.
He stressed 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, noting that manpower alone cannot guarantee improved security outcomes without competent leadership capable of making sound and timely decisions under demanding operational conditions.
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, reminding them that while rank confers authority, character, integrity, competence and personal example inspire confidence and willing followership.
He tasked them to remain combat-ready irrespective of their professional specialisations, continuously develop their tactical competence, maintain physical fitness and embrace emerging technologies, including unmanned systems, surveillance capabilities, intelligence fusion and digital communications.
He also urged them to foster effective relationships with sister Services, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies, paramilitary organisations and other stakeholders to enhance operational synergy, intelligence sharing and coordinated action.
At the unveiling of the Nigerian Army Airborne Training School, the COAS described the institution as a strategic investment in developing highly skilled, agile and mission-ready personnel capable of undertaking complex airborne and special operations.
He said the changing character of warfare and increasing sophistication of asymmetric threats require a highly trained and adaptable force, adding that the School would serve as a centre of excellence for airborne operations, parachuting, air assault and other specialised military skills.
He tasked the Commandant and instructors to develop rigorous, operationally relevant training programmes reflecting global best practices and Nigeria’s security realities, while assuring the institution of continued support from Army Headquarters.
