COAS Charges New Officers to Uphold Absolute Loyalty, Discipline Amidst National Security Emergency

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, Nigerian Army Medal (NAM), has tasked newly commissioned officers to uphold absolute loyalty to the Constitution and place national interest above all else. 

General Shaibu gave the charge during the Passing Out Parade of the Executive Commission Course 2/2025, held at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji. The commissioning is part of the renewed drive to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency on Security.

The COAS stated that the commissioning of this new set of officers is a critical component of the President’s directive to: expand manpower across the Nigerian Army (NA); strengthen frontline deployments and accelerate security stabilisation efforts nationwide.

General Shaibu expressed confidence in the quality of training, noting that the officers' exceptional display of parade and weapon handling reflects the Army’s rising standards at a time when the nation demands heightened operational vigilance.

The Army Chief stressed that professionalism and constitutional loyalty remain the bedrock of military service, urging the officers to remain: uncompromisingly apolitical; disciplined; subordinate to civil authority.

He further reminded them that their commission comes at a defining moment, requiring mission-focused, courageous, and ethically grounded leaders to tackle terrorism, banditry, and other emerging threats.

Earlier, the Commandant of NASI, Major General Frank Etim, confirmed that the training curriculum was deliberately restructured to align with the emerging security threats.

He revealed that the 250 officers, including 14 female officers, underwent intensive courses in Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency; Leadership and Tactical Command and Physical Conditioning.

The training successfully instilled core military values of loyalty, courage, discipline, and integrity, which are indispensable for leaders in the increasingly complex operational environment.

The Nigerian Army reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s security emergency action plan through massive recruitment, rigorous training, enhanced readiness, and strategic deployments across all theatres of operation.