By Olatunde Ajayi
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, says Nigeria’s current security challenges demand a flexible and coordinated response across the defence and security architecture.
Shaibu, speaking at the maiden Nigerian Army Chief Clerks’ Convention 2026 in Ibadan, stressed that no service or agency could operate in isolation.
The convention, themed “The Roles of Chief Clerks in Effective Decision-Making Support in an Evolving Security Environment” was held at the Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan.
The COAS explained that the theme aligned with the realities faced by troops engaged in various theatres of operations and reinforced the emphasis on jointness in modern warfare.
The COAS, represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, said timely and sound decision-making by commanders remained critical to achieving successful outcomes in operations.
According to him, the nation’s security environment is now shaped by asymmetric and hybrid threats, including terrorism, insurgency, cyber-attacks, disinformation, and transnational organised crime.
He said that the challenges have blurred the traditional boundaries between war and peace, making administrative precision and real-time information flow as vital as firepower.
Outlining his strategic intent, Shaibu said he was repositioning the Nigerian Army to be more agile, adaptive, and technologically empowered.
He listed five strategic pillars guiding the transformation: strengthening professionalism and discipline, enhancing administrative efficiency, improving training and operational readiness, deepening technological integration, and advancing personnel welfare.
He said that personnel welfare and morale remained central to combat effectiveness, pledging sustained efforts to improve accommodation, healthcare, and timely handling of postings, promotions, and entitlements, under the “Soldier First” philosophy.
“Reforms are ongoing to modernise administrative and personnel management systems through the digitisation of service records, automation of pay and allowances, and the deployment of an integrated human resource management platform across formations.
“We remain committed to strengthening capacity development for the clerical cadre through the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration and other institutions,” he said.
Presenting the GOC’s remarks, the Commander, 2 Provost Group, Brig.-Gen. Uche Nnabuihe, said the 4-day event aimed to equip participants with modern analytical skills and an understanding of the intelligence cycle.
He added that the event would also focus on how administrative efficiency impacts operational outcomes.
He urged participants to approach the convention with discipline and an open mind, engage resource persons, and network with peers to return to their units as change agents.
The GOC commended the COAS for his support toward personnel’s training and development.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Moses Solanke
