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.

Mr Shaibu said future military leadership would depend on combining battlefield experience with strategic thinking, evidence-based decision-making and efficient management of human and material resources.

Represented by Maj.-Gen. Jeremiah Manjang, the COAS spoke at the graduation of the Strategic Management and Policy Studies Course 8/2025 of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) in Abuja on Friday.

He urged participants to immediately deploy the knowledge acquired during the 11-month programme to improve organisational performance and strengthen national security.

“As you leave this Centre, I urge you to translate the knowledge acquired here into practical action.

“The skills gained during this programme should enable you to adapt, innovate and continually acquire new competencies necessary for leading your organisations in an increasingly complex environment,” he said.

Mr Shaibu said the programme equipped participants with tools for adaptation, innovation and strategic thinking needed to enhance leadership effectiveness across military and strategic public institutions.

He explained that the curriculum, covering public policy, strategic management, entrepreneurship, psychology and research methodology, enriched participants’ professional competence and broadened their strategic perspectives.

According to him, the programme prepared participants to adopt “more scientific and knowledge-driven approaches to organisational management.”

The COAS said the course deliberately bridged theoretical knowledge with practical operational experience accumulated by senior officers throughout their military and professional careers.

He said the approach would improve participants’ capacity to analyse complex situations, formulate sound strategies and develop practical solutions through evidence-based research and informed decision-making.

Mr Shaibu said modern operations required strategic leaders capable of managing resources effectively while responding to terrorism, violent extremism and other emerging security threats.

He described continuous human capacity development as indispensable for organisations seeking to remain innovative, adaptable, resilient and operationally effective.

The COAS 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.

He described the partnership as a major milestone in institutionalising professional military education and strategic leadership development within the Nigerian Army.

Mr Shaibu thanked President Bola Tinubu for sustained support, saying improved operational, training and administrative assistance had 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.

Mr Myam said 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.

According to him, participants acquired advanced knowledge in strategic management, leadership and policy formulation required to address contemporary security and governance challenges.

He congratulated participants on completing the rigorous programme and urged them to become agents of positive change within their organisations.

“We believe that you are now better prepared to respond to the demands of an evolving security landscape shaped by changing global norms.

“We are confident that you will serve as agents of positive change by applying and disseminating the knowledge and experience acquired here,” he said.

Mr Myam appreciated the Nigerian Defence Academy, facilitators, faculty members and sponsoring organisations for supporting the successful implementation of the programme.

Also speaking, the Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. James Myam, described the partnership with NARC as a successful integration of academic excellence and professional military education.

Mr Ajibua said the academy provided academic support, quality assurance and experienced resource persons to ensure participants received postgraduate education that met 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.

Mr Ajibua reaffirmed the NDA’s commitment to sustaining the collaboration and strengthening executive education for senior military officers and strategic public leaders.

The Director of Human Resources Development, Brig.-Gen. John Majebi, said the course aligned with the COAS’ command philosophy of building a professional, adaptable, compact, ready and resilient Nigerian Army.

He said that the evolving global security environment demanded adaptive leadership, strategic thinking and new competencies across military and security institutions.

Mr Majebi said the 46-week programme graduated 25 participants drawn from the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, government institutions and the private sector.

“The participants included major-generals, an air vice marshal, brigadier-generals, senior officers of the Defence Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Customs Service and National Youth Service Corps.

“The successful participants will receive the Nigerian Army Resource Centre Fellowship certificate and a master’s degree in strategic management and policy studies from the NDA,” he said.

(NAN)