Abuja: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has urged senior officers to adopt scientific, knowledge-driven, and results-oriented approaches to enhance operational effectiveness in addressing evolving security threats. Shaibu emphasized that future military leadership would rely on the integration of battlefield experience with strategic thinking, evidence-based decision-making, and efficient management of human and material resources.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Shaibu, represented by Maj.-Gen. Jeremiah Manjang, spoke at the graduation of Strategic Management and Policy Studies Course 8/2025 of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) in Abuja. He urged participants to deploy the knowledge acquired during the 11-month programme to improve organizational performance and strengthen national security. Shaibu emphasized the importance of translating the knowledge into practical action, enabling participants to adapt, innovate, and continuously acquire new competencies essential for leading organizations in complex environments.
Shaibu highlighted that the programme equipped participants with the tools necessary for adaptation, innovation, and strategic thinking, enhancing leadership effectiveness across military and strategic public institutions. The curriculum, which covered public policy, strategic management, entrepreneurship, psychology, and research methodology, aimed to enrich participants’ professional competence and broaden their strategic perspectives. The COAS underscored the need for more scientific and knowledge-driven approaches to organizational management, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical operational experience.
He noted that modern operations required strategic leaders capable of managing resources effectively while responding to terrorism, violent extremism, and other emerging security threats. Continuous human capacity development was described as indispensable for organizations seeking to remain innovative, adaptable, resilient, and operationally effective. Shaibu also highlighted the collaboration between NARC and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), which led to the award of Master’s Degrees in Strategic Management and Policy Studies, marking a milestone in professional military education and strategic leadership development within the Nigerian Army.
Shaibu expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for sustained support, which has strengthened the Army’s constitutional responsibilities. He reaffirmed the loyalty of officers and soldiers to the Constitution and their commitment to defending Nigeria’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Earlier, the Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. James Myam, described the programme as one of Nigeria’s leading executive education platforms for developing strategic leaders. Myam highlighted that the intensive 11-month programme prepared senior military officers, security personnel, and public executives for the demands of today’s dynamic security and governance environment. Participants acquired advanced knowledge in strategic management, leadership, and policy formulation required to address contemporary security and governance challenges.
Myam congratulated participants on completing the rigorous programme and urged them to become agents of positive change within their organizations. He expressed confidence in their ability to respond to the demands of an evolving security landscape shaped by changing global norms. Myam appreciated the Nigerian Defence Academy, facilitators, faculty members, and sponsoring organizations for supporting the successful implementation of the programme.
Prof. Bolanle Ajibua, the NDA Academic Provost, described the partnership with NARC as a successful integration of academic excellence and professional military education. Ajibua emphasized that the academy provided academic support, quality assurance, and experienced resource persons to ensure participants received postgraduate education meeting established academic standards. He added that the programme prepared senior officers for higher leadership responsibilities while equipping them with competencies valuable during active service and retirement.
Brig.-Gen. John Majebi, Director of Human Resources Development, stated that the course aligned with the COAS’ command philosophy of building a professional, adaptable, compact, ready, and resilient Nigerian Army. He noted that the evolving global security environment demanded adaptive leadership, strategic thinking, and new competencies across military and security institutions. The 46-week programme graduated 25 participants from the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, government institutions, and the private sector, including Major-Generals, an Air Vice Marshal, Brigadier-Generals, and senior officers of various agencies. Successful participants received the Nigerian Army Resource Centre Fellowship Certificate and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies from the NDA.