The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commended the Nigerian Army Finance Corps (NAFC) for its pivotal role in sustaining operational effectiveness, troop morale and institutional accountability, as the Corps marked its West African Social Activities (WASA) 2025 in Lagos.
Shaibu, who was represented by the Commander Corps of Signals, Major General Mohammed Abdullahi, gave the commendation on February 7, 2026, at the Headquarters Command Finance Office Football Field, Arakan Cantonment, Apapa, describing WASA as a cherished tradition that reinforces unity, camaraderie and esprit de corps within the Nigerian Army.
Reflecting on the past year, the COAS noted that 2025 was marked by intense security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and terrorism, stressing that officers and soldiers responded with courage, resilience and professionalism in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty.
He disclosed that the Nigerian Army is expected to take delivery of additional helicopters, unmanned aerial systems and other combat enablers in 2026, aimed at strengthening operational capacity across theatres of operation nationwide.
According to him, the planned enhancements are anchored on his command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of operating effectively within a joint and multi-agency environment.
Shaibu particularly applauded the Finance Corps for sustaining a transparent, prudent and efficient financial architecture, despite resource constraints, noting that its record of accountability and sound stewardship has remained critical to operational success and training outcomes.
He also paid tribute to the families and spouses of officers and soldiers, acknowledging their sacrifices and steadfast support, which he said enable troops to remain focused on their demanding duties, assured of stability on the home front.
Earlier in his opening remarks,
Chief of Accounts and Budget, Major General Taofik Sidick
welcomed guests and traced the historical roots of WASA from wartime thanksgiving rituals to its present status as a socio-cultural and stock taking event that celebrates the successful completion of annual activities.
Sidick reported that the Corps achieved near-total success in 2025, with salaries and allowances fully paid up to December, operational allowances settled beyond year-end, and all financial obligations, including welfare packages, insurance premiums and loan schemes, fully discharged.
He added that the Corps conducted extensive training in line with the COAS Training Directive, with emphasis on professionalism, digital transformation and financial responsiveness, recording landmark achievements in unit training, senior non-commissioned officers’ development and inter-agency collaboration.
While celebrating the successes, Sidick urged sober reflection for fallen colleagues lost to operations, accidents and illness, expressing gratitude to the COAS, past leaders, organising committees, families and partner agencies, and calling on officers and soldiers to remain focused on advancing professionalism and digital innovation in support of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
WASA 2025: War Was Relentless, Morale Didn’t Break, COAS Reveals The Silent Force Holding The Army Together
