Abuja:President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the leadership philosophy of Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), highlighting it as a foundational shift towards a more adaptable and professional Nigerian Army. This endorsement is featured in the foreword of the book “The Shaibu Doctrine Mission Command and the Remaking of Nigeria’s Army at War,” co-authored by Dr. Muhammed Abubakar and Associate Prof. Sunday Adejoh from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the president emphasized that the doctrine embodies the Armed Forces’ duty to secure Nigeria, fostering an environment conducive to democracy and development. He noted that professionalism, adaptability, combat readiness, and resilience are the guiding pillars of Shaibu’s command philosophy, steering the Army’s training, equipment, and operational strategies. Tinubu praised the doctrine for moving the Army away from military conservatism towards a more mobile and offensive operational stance, with a strong focus on technology and indigenous equipment production.
Abubakar, in an interview, discussed the motivation behind writing the book, which analyzes Shaibu’s leadership approach, especially Mission Command. This philosophy prioritizes troop welfare and decentralized decision-making to enhance operational effectiveness. Abubakar shared insights from his professional interactions with Shaibu, highlighting the general’s focus on personnel management and morale. The book aims to provide a systematic documentation of Shaibu’s leadership style, which Abubakar describes using the acronym PROSE Professional Excellence, Robust Administration, Operational Readiness, Strategic Cooperation, and Exemplary Leadership.
Mission Command, as explained by Abubakar, is a leadership style that emphasizes trust and empowers subordinate commanders to make decisions. This approach is designed to reduce decision-making delays and improve operational tempo. However, Abubakar pointed out challenges such as intelligence gaps and inadequate air support that need addressing in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency efforts.
Abubakar advocated for increased investment in human intelligence and called for stronger collaboration with community actors and private security outfits. He also stressed the need for a comprehensive approach involving all levels of government and local communities to effectively address insecurity.
The book is not a biography but an exploration of military strategies and institutional changes necessary for sustained operational effectiveness. It is set for presentation on November 24, 2026, at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.