COAS Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu has charged 250 newly commissioned officers of the Nigerian Army to put Nigeria first as they graduate from the Executive Commission Course in Jaji. He emphasised discipline, patriotism, leadership and loyalty to democratic authority
COAS Shaibu Charges Newly Commissioned Officers to Put Nigeria First as Army Graduates 250 Executive Cadets in Jaji
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Saturday urged officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to place the nation above personal interests as the Army commissioned 250 new officers from the Executive Commission Course 2/2025 at the Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna State.
Addressing the passing-out cadets at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Parade Ground, Shaibu described their commissioning as a major milestone earned through sacrifice, discipline and an unwavering commitment to national service.
He reminded the officers that they are now full custodians of Nigeria’s sovereignty and must uphold the principle that “Nigeria must come first” in every decision and action throughout their careers.
Shaibu noted that many of the new officers would soon be deployed to operational theatres where their discipline, courage and strategic competence would be put to the test. He urged them to rely on the knowledge, skills and values instilled during their training while remaining adaptable in complex environments.
The Army Chief assured the officers that they would never confront challenges in isolation, stressing that the Nigerian Army’s officer corps is anchored on camaraderie, loyalty and collective patriotism. He challenged them to embody these values as they step into command roles.
Underscoring the weight of leadership, Shaibu stressed the importance of sound judgment and strategic planning. “Always have a plan. A bad plan is better than none,” he advised.
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to enhancing personnel welfare and career development in line with his vision of building a more adaptive, combat-ready and resilient force. He also reiterated the Army’s unwavering loyalty to democratic governance, describing constitutional respect as the hallmark of military professionalism. All personnel, he said, must remain apolitical and stand firm as defenders of democracy.
Shaibu commended the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Maj.-Gen. Frank Etim, and his team for transforming the cadets into officers prepared for modern battlefield demands. He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sustained support to the Army.
Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Etim highlighted that the course, which began on 6 September 2025, was deliberately designed to instill leadership, discipline, physical fitness, integrity and loyalty. The cadets also received extensive training in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency tactics to equip them for Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He declared the officers ready for higher responsibilities, urging them to remain resolute as they assume command roles. “Be prepared for uncharted challenges. Yield to nothing,” he charged.
Shaibu extended gratitude to Governor Uba Sani and the people of Kaduna State for their consistent support to the Nigerian Army, wishing the newly commissioned officers a rewarding and patriotic career. Read More
