The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to enhancing tactical-level leadership and operational synergy among field commanders, as he presided over the closing ceremony of the Second Commanding Officers Workshop at Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.
The four-day workshop, held at the Headquarters of 3 Division, brought together 54 commanding officers from formations across Northern Nigeria under the theme: “Enhancing Tactical Level Command and Leadership within a Joint Environment.” The initiative focused on building the capacity of field commanders to navigate the complexities of modern warfare while fostering stronger collaboration with other security agencies.
Speaking at the event, Lt Gen Oluyede charged the participants to embody the highest standards of leadership, emphasizing that their role is central to translating strategic directives into actionable field outcomes.
“You are the vital link between our operational goals and the realities on the ground,” the COAS stated. “Leadership at your level determines the professionalism, discipline, and fighting spirit of our troops. I urge you to lead with integrity, courage, and accountability.”
The Army Chief noted that the choice of theme was deliberate, reflecting a growing need for cohesive command structures and effective multi-agency coordination in today’s dynamic security environment. He underscored mentorship as a core responsibility of commanding officers, describing them as torchbearers for the next generation of Army leaders.
“You must be visible examples to those you command—especially during difficult operations. Let your actions inspire confidence, unity, and excellence,” Lt Gen Oluyede said.
Accompanied by senior officers including the Chief of Training, Major General Abubakar S. Ndalolo, the COAS also commended the participation of sister security agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and paramilitary organizations, highlighting the Army’s commitment to inter-agency cooperation in combating insecurity.
Maj. Gen. Ndalolo, in his remarks, described the workshop as a strategic response to evolving threats, covering a broad spectrum of operational and administrative topics. These included:
- Civil-military relations and joint operations planning
- Innovation, digital transformation, and field technology
- Human resource management and truth warfare
- Counter-intelligence and adaptive leadership
- Career development and maintenance strategies
“Our aim is to produce commanding officers who can think critically, act decisively, and operate effectively within a joint security framework,” Ndalolo said. “This aligns fully with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision of building a well-motivated, professional, and combat-ready force.”
The final day of the workshop featured practical demonstrations, presentations on personnel evaluation systems, and sessions on digital innovations for security operations. Lt Gen Oluyede also inspected the Quarter Guard and led the presentation of certificates to participants.
In a media interaction following the event, the Army Chief highlighted the relevance of the training to ongoing national security operations.
“As threats evolve, so must our tactics and leadership,” he stated. “Workshops like this are not academic—they are operational tools that prepare our officers to confront real-world challenges. I expect to see measurable improvements in unit leadership and mission effectiveness.”
He added that the Nigerian Army remains committed to continuous learning, stating that the strength of the force lies not only in its arsenal but in the quality and character of its leaders.
The ceremony concluded with a souvenir presentation to the COAS, and a group photograph to commemorate the successful exercise.