The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged newly inaugurated officers of the Nigerian Army to demonstrate courage, competence, discipline, and sound judgment in their duties. The COAS gave the charge on Friday at the passing-out parade of 183 cadets of the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 29/2026 at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna state. The six-month intensive military training had transformed the cadets from professionals in diverse fields into officers prepared to assume leadership responsibilities in the Nigerian Army.
According to Lt.-Gen. Shaibu, the officers were being commissioned at a time when Nigeria was confronted with complex and evolving security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence, separatist violence, and other forms of criminality. The changing nature of security threats requires officers who are adaptable, intellectually agile, professionally competent, and capable of making sound decisions under pressure. The COAS emphasized that military service may require officers to undertake combat and other operational roles beyond their primary professional specialization.
Lt.-Gen. Shaibu urged the officers to sustain their combat skills, physical fitness, and tactical competence throughout their careers, stressing that every Army officer must remain prepared to defend the nation whenever called upon. He reminded them that their professional qualifications and experiences remained valuable but must henceforth be applied within the ethos and demands of military service. The officers were commissioned as Direct Short Service Commission officers.
The COAS also charged the officers to distinguish between rank and leadership, noting that while rank conferred authority, character, integrity, competence, and personal example earned the trust of soldiers. He urged them to lead from the front, prioritize the welfare of their troops, enforce standards, and treat personnel with dignity and fairness. The officers were trained at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry.
Lt.-Gen. Shaibu emphasized that the officers must be firm without being arrogant, compassionate without compromising standards, and confident without being reckless. The COAS commended the officers for completing their training and expressed confidence in their ability to meet the challenges of modern warfare. The passing-out parade marked the end of the six-month training program.
The Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 29/2026 was a six-month intensive training program that transformed 183 cadets into officers prepared to assume leadership responsibilities in the Nigerian Army. The training program was conducted at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna state. The officers were drawn from diverse professional backgrounds.
The inauguration of the 183 DSSC officers is a significant development for the Nigerian Army, as it seeks to address the country's complex and evolving security challenges. The officers are expected to play a key role in the Army's efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality. The COAS's charge to the officers reflects the Army's commitment to professionalism and leadership.
Key points
- The COAS, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has charged newly inaugurated officers to demonstrate courage, competence, discipline, and sound judgment in their duties.
- The officers were commissioned at a time when Nigeria is confronted with complex and evolving security challenges.
- The COAS emphasized the importance of distinguishing between rank and leadership.
