The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged senior commanders of the Nigerian Army to embrace strategic leadership, innovation and collaboration in order to effectively tackle the nation’s evolving security challenges.

Shaibu, while giving the charge on Tuesday at the opening of the First Senior Command and Leadership Seminar 2026, held at the Headquarters, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, expressed  his immense gratitude to Presidentt Bola Tinubu, for his unflinching support to the Nigerian Army, adding that the President’s interventions have been crucial to the successes achieved so far in the efforts to safeguard the nation’s security and territorial integrity.

Represented at the event by the Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Major General Peter Malla, the COAS in his address, said the seminar was deliberately designed to sharpen the professional competencies of senior commanders, enhance their operational readiness and strengthen leadership capacity across the Army.

He noted that the theme of the seminar, “Strategic Leadership for Effective Command in an Evolving Security Environment,” aligns with his command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force.

According to him, the contemporary security landscape is increasingly complex and requires commanders who can think strategically, adapt quickly and lead effectively under pressure.

He said: “I expect participants to demonstrate professionalism through frank engagement, critical thinking and active participation throughout the interactive sessions.

The lessons and key takeaways from this Seminar must translate into actionable strategies that will guide future policies, enhance leadership at all levels and advance the transformation agenda of the Nigerian Army.”

He further stressed the importance of collaboration with other security agencies, civil society organisations and traditional institutions, noting that modern security operations demand integrated approaches built on trust and cooperation.

The Army Chief, however, urged participants to actively engage in discussions, exchange ideas and develop innovative solutions that would enhance troop welfare and operational effectiveness.

He also encouraged them to reflect on critical issues such as improving training methods, strengthening combat readiness and instilling the ethos of mission success among troops.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Training (Army), Major General Valentine Okoro, described the seminar as a significant milestone in the Army’s efforts to strengthen leadership and operational effectiveness.

Okoro said the initiative was aimed at enhancing strategic leadership competencies, improving decision-making and preparing senior officers for the realities of modern warfare.

He explained that the seminar would feature lectures on key areas including operational-level command, lessons from counter-insurgency operations, the impact of emerging technologies on warfare, and Nigeria’s role in regional security.

In his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Major General Eric Emekah, said the seminar was carefully structured to enhance strategic leadership capacity and command effectiveness among senior officers.

Emekah noted that the programme would deepen participants’ understanding of contemporary security challenges while strengthening professional and ethical leadership standards.