The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Folunsho Oyinlola, has charged senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) to embrace ethical, visionary, and emotionally intelligent leadership as a foundation for operational success and national security.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Leadership Awareness and Development Course organized by the Nigerian Army Resource Center (NARC) for senior NCOs of 3 Division and Operation Enduring Peace, held at the 3 Division Auditorium, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, Maj Gen Oyinlola described the training as a pivotal step in strengthening leadership capacity across the force.
“This course represents our continuous quest for excellence and professional growth,” Oyinlola stated. “It was conceived from the critical need to strengthen the leadership capabilities of our senior non-commissioned officers who serve as the essential bridge between officers and soldiers.”
He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Chief of Army Staff’s “Soldier First” philosophy and strategic training directives aimed at transforming the Nigerian Army into a combat-ready and motivated force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within joint and multi-agency operations.
While commending the Nigerian Army Resource Center for its collaboration, the GOC noted that the course is timely given the nation’s complex and evolving security challenges. He charged participants to maximize the opportunity, engage actively, and return to their units as transformed leaders ready to inspire loyalty, integrity, and mission success.
“Effective leadership is the cornerstone of mission success and the key to winning the trust and confidence of the civil populace,” he added. “Approach this course with open minds and readiness to engage, share, and learn.”
Representing the Director General of the Nigerian Army Resource Center, Maj Gen James Myam (rtd), the Executive Director Consult, Maj Gen Sanusi Dahiru, underscored the critical role of senior NCOs in maintaining a strong and effective chain of command.
“The chain is only as strong as its weakest link,” he said. “Senior NCOs form the link between officers and soldiers. When they are well-trained and knowledgeable, the military’s command structure functions effectively, ensuring smooth translation of directives from officers to soldiers and enhancing operational performance.”
Maj Gen Dahiru explained that the course, being held across all divisions of the Nigerian Army, aims to standardize leadership training for senior NCOs to improve professionalism and operational efficiency nationwide.
Highlighting key focus areas of the program, Dahiru said the course would cover global and national security dynamics, changing security landscapes, leadership development, and the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy, which serves as a roadmap for leadership goals, decision-making, and resilience in challenging times.
He noted that the philosophy emphasizes motivation, combat readiness, and effective discharge of constitutional duties within a joint and multi-agency framework.
The Leadership Awareness and Development Course, running from October 13 to 17, 2025, brings together selected senior non-commissioned officers from various commands to build capacity for improved command effectiveness and national security outcomes.
