The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to producing disciplined, mentally resilient, and combat-ready soldiers capable of confronting the country’s growing security challenges.
Speaking at the opening of a seminar held at the Jaji Military Cantonment in Kaduna State, Shaibu highlighted the need to strengthen the warrior ethos among personnel while addressing issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse. The event, themed “From Trauma to Triumph: Building Combat-Ready Warriors in the Nigerian Army,” was organized by the Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation.
Represented by Major General Ademola Adedoja, Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Shaibu described the warrior ethos as the backbone of operational effectiveness. He noted that the Nigerian Army remains at the forefront of the fight against terrorism and insurgency and must constantly adapt to the country’s complex and changing security landscape.
Shaibu commended the initiative, saying it would boost morale and sharpen the Army’s operational edge. He stressed that mental resilience, courage, and unwavering dedication are critical to success on the battlefield. According to him, combining experience from the field with intellectual reflection and doctrinal innovation will help the Army refine its strategies for national stability and lasting peace.
He urged participants to use the opportunity to deepen their professional knowledge and strengthen their leadership skills. Shaibu also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his continuous support and guidance to the Nigerian Army.
Earlier, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, Major General Olusegun Abai, said the seminar was designed to build leadership capacity among junior and mid-level officers while reinforcing the warrior mindset essential for military excellence. Represented by Major General Mohammed Danja, Director of Lessons Learned, Abai explained that the programme also sought to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress and discourage the use of drugs among troops.
Danja thanked the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry for hosting the seminar, which featured lectures on topics such as “Intensifying Warrior Ethos and Mental Toughness,” “The Effect of Drug and Substance Abuse on Operational Effectiveness,” and “Overcoming Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Nigerian Army.”
Through initiatives like this, the Army continues to demonstrate its resolve to remain a disciplined, adaptive, and mission-ready force committed to defending the nation’s integrity.
