By Victoria Attah
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called on senior non-commissioned officers in the Nigerian Army to play a more active role in building discipline, resilience and combat effectiveness among troops amid ongoing security challenges across the country.
Shaibu made the call on Thursday during the closing session of the First Regimental Sergeant Majors’ Convention 2026 held in Kaduna, where military leaders gathered to discuss strategies for improving operational standards and strengthening regimental leadership within the Army.
Addressing participants at the JN Garba Hall, the Army Chief said Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) occupy a critical position in maintaining military values, enforcing discipline and sustaining troop morale, particularly in operational areas.
He stressed that the Nigerian Army must continue to build soldiers who are mentally prepared, professionally grounded and committed to carrying out military responsibilities under difficult conditions.
Shaibu also cautioned personnel against the careless use of social media and digital communication platforms, warning that the spread of sensitive information online could endanger military operations and damage the integrity of the institution.
According to him, senior soldiers must ensure strict adherence to communication protocols and guide younger personnel on responsible conduct both online and offline.
The COAS further urged the RSMs to strengthen mentorship within their formations, noting that experienced officers and senior soldiers have a responsibility to instill professionalism, ethical values and regimental culture in younger troops.
He said continuous mentorship remains essential to developing a disciplined and combat-ready force capable of responding effectively to emerging threats.
Earlier, the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General Isa Abdullahi, said the convention was aimed at improving leadership capacity and operational efficiency within the Nigerian Army, urging participants to apply the lessons from the gathering toward strengthening discipline, troop welfare and professionalism in their various formations.
