Nigerian Army Transformational Drive: COAS Charges Junior and Mid-Cadre Commanders On Responsive Leadership For Operational Effectiveness

Nigerian Army Transformational Drive: COAS Charges Junior and Mid-Cadre Commanders On Responsive Leadership For Operational Effectiveness

In a deliberate effort to enhance the leadership and combat capacity of commanders and personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has charged junior and Mid-cadre commanders to imbibe the culture of responsive leadership across all the theatres of operations for optimal performance and actualization of NA operational objectives.

Delivering the opening remarks the COAS, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, represented by the Theatre Commander (TC) Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar gave the charge on Tuesday, 28 August 2025 at the Headquarters Theatre Command Officers’ Mess Maimalari Cantonment while declaring open the Nigerian Army Transformation Seminar organized by the Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation Army (AHQ DATI).

In his words, the Seminar with the theme “Transformational Leadership and Nigerian Army Operational Effectiveness in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment” underscores the significance of leadership and collaboration in a Joint operational environment. It also brings to fore two cardinal aspects of my command philosophy”. Major General Abubakar stressed.

The Special Guest of Honour who described the NA as the linchpin in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, affirmed that the dynamic and evolving nature of threats demands a holistic approach to transformational leadership in the conduct of NA operations.

He further stated that Mid-Cadre and junior leaders must be openminded to learning not only from the Seminar but from real life experiences in the theatre of operations.

Major General Abubakar expressed his profound gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic for his steadfast support and strategic guidance to the NA which has been pivotal to the successes achieved so far.

He also commended the AHQ DATI for organizing the Seminar with carefully selected lectures that seek to address the contemporary operational challenges in a joint and multi-agency environment.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation (COTI), Major General Olusegun Abai, represented by the Director Lessons Learnt at DATI Major General Sinyinah Nicodemus disclosed that the Seminar was significance in the attainment of the NA transformational drive under the sterling leadership of the COAS. He reiterated that the Seminar was designed to enhance the leadership initiative, combat proficiency, regimentation and discipline among personnel as well as to institutionalize mentorship as a framework for raising leaders in the NA.

The COTI said the theme of the seminar aligned with the COAS Command Philosophy which was anchored on ” Consolidating the “Transformation of the Nigerian Army Towards Bequeathing a Well-Motivated and Combat-Ready Force that can Effectively Discharge its Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment”*

He further asserted that the two lectures presented in the Seminar on building the leadership capacity of Junior and Mid-Cadre comnders and effects of drugs/substance abuse on combat readiness in the NA were carefully selected to address the contemporary issues of leadership and drug abuse among personnel across all theatres of operations.

Major General Abai expressed his appreciation to the COAS Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede for approving the seminar and providing the needed resources. He also thanked the TC Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar for his unwavering support for the success of the Seminar.

The event was graced by important dignitaries that included the General Officer Commanding 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force OPHK, formation commanders, and representative of para-military agencies among others. Highpoint of the Seminar were interactive session, presentation of souvenirs and group photographs.