COAS urges army to uphold warrior ethos for stronger combat readiness

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has called on Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) of the Nigerian Army to reinforce the warrior ethos as a key strategy for maintaining combat power and ensuring mission success across all formations.
The message was delivered yesterday during the closing ceremony of the First Regimental Sergeant Majors’ Convention 2026 held at JN Garba Hall, Postgraduate School, Old Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna.
According to a statement signed by Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the convention was themed “Empowering Regimental Sergeant Majors to Drive Combat Readiness and Professional Excellence.”
It served as a platform for professional engagement, sharing operational experiences, and strategic discussions aimed at strengthening leadership capacity, fostering a mentorship culture, and upholding regimental standards in line with the Army’s transformation agenda.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described RSMs as custodians of discipline, regimentation, and military tradition, emphasizing that their leadership influence is vital to maintaining troop morale, operational cohesion, and esprit de corps, especially among personnel deployed in various operational theaters.
He stressed that a strong warrior ethos is essential for building a resilient, disciplined, and mission-focused force capable of confronting emerging and asymmetric security threats.
The COAS also warned against the misuse of social media and other digital platforms, cautioning that unregulated online engagement could jeopardize operational security and undermine institutional integrity.
He urged RSMs to lead by example by enforcing responsible digital conduct, strengthening information discipline, and ensuring strict adherence to established communication protocols within their units.
He further charged senior non-commissioned officers to intensify mentorship and guidance for younger soldiers to preserve regimental values, promote professionalism, and uphold ethical conduct at all levels of command. “Effective mentorship remains critical to developing a highly motivated, combat-ready, and professionally grounded force,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Administration, Army, Major General Isa Abdullahi, stated that the convention reflects the Nigerian Army’s commitment to enhancing administrative efficiency, professional excellence, and sustained operational readiness in line with the COAS’s command philosophy.
He encouraged participants to apply the knowledge and insights gained to improve troop welfare, discipline, regimentation, and overall operational efficiency in their formations.