Northern Pulse: COAS harps on strong leadership for operational effectiveness

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu has highlighted the critical link between leadership decisions and operational effectiveness within the Nigerian Army.

Shaibu, represented by the Commander Infantry Corps, Maj.-Gen. Godwin

Mutkut, said this on Monday in Jaji, Kaduna state at the opening of the Warrant Officers’ Academy Course 47/2026 Leadership and Management programme.

The theme of the seminar was “Transformational Leadership in a Dynamic Environment: Strategies for Warrant Officers to Drive Operational Excellence".

Shaibu, described leadership and management as global phenomena, noting that decisions taken at all levels significantly impact personnel and determine long-term operational outcomes.

The Army Chief said there is a strong linkage between junior and senior leadership, warning that ineffective leadership at lower levels could negatively affect formations, battalions, regiments and units.

He noted that the dynamic nature of warfare and ongoing security challenges across the country require high standards in military leadership and management.

He, therefore urged participants to apply realism during the programme by drawing from personal operational experiences to enrich discussions and enhance learning.

He told students of the Course 47/2026 to consider themselves privileged, as the training is designed to develop leadership capabilities and improve management of subordinates.

According to him, the programme would also expand participants’ understanding of the military profession toward achieving national strategic objectives.

He said participants would benefit from the wealth of experience of resource persons and urged them to maintain positive attitudes during interactions and lectures.

Shaibu added that the training would prepare them to play crucial roles in decision-making processes and serve as role models while promoting team spirit and operational effectiveness.

He commended the Warrant Officers' Academy authorities and leadership for organising the programme, describing warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers as the backbone of the Armed Forces.

Earlier, the Commandant of the Warrant Officers’ Academy, Brig.-Gen. Anthony Wende, said the programme is part of the academy’s training packages aimed at bridging leadership and management gaps between commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

He explained that the academy remains the apex training institution for warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The commandant said the institution provides tools for re-orientation and restructuring, equipping personnel with skills to interpret and relay directives and mentor subordinates.

He added that the training is designed to address factors affecting junior leadership and personnel management in both peace and war situations.

Wende said the leadership programme was conceptualised to equip participants with confidence, integrity, sound judgement and a strong sense of responsibility in discharging their duties.

He said the theme, “Transformational Leadership in a Dynamic Environment: Strategies for Warrant Officers to Drive Operational Excellence,” was carefully designed to meet course objectives.

According to him, the programme also prepares participants for leadership and managerial roles commensurate with their ranks in a joint and multi-agency environment.

He noted that the participants include personnel from the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy, reflecting growing inter-service collaboration.

Wende said resource persons, comprising serving and retired senior officers, would deliver lectures and share experiences during the programme.

The commandant reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to evolving junior leadership capacity to address contemporary security challenges in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the course has 81 participants, comprising 79 personnel from the Nigerian Army and two from the Nigerian Navy.(NAN)