The Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, has rallied Regimental Sergeant Majors across the Nigerian Army to reinforce the warrior ethos needed to sustain combat power and strengthen operational effectiveness in the face of evolving security threats.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the First Regimental Sergeant Majors’ Convention 2026 in Kaduna, the army chief said discipline, professionalism and combat readiness must remain the foundation of military operations nationwide.
The convention, held at the JN Garba Hall of the Postgraduate School, Old Nigerian Defence Academy, brought together senior non commissioned officers from formations and units across the country for strategic engagements on operational leadership and regimental standards.
Themed “Empowering Regimental Sergeant Majors to Drive Combat Readiness and Professional Excellence,” the gathering focused on sharpening leadership capacity, mentorship culture and operational coordination within the Nigerian Army.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described Regimental Sergeant Majors as the custodians of military tradition, discipline and esprit de corps, stressing that their influence remains critical in maintaining troop morale in active operational theatres.
He noted that the Nigerian Army must continue to build resilient and mission focused personnel capable of confronting asymmetric threats and other emerging security challenges confronting the country.
According to him, strengthening the warrior ethos among troops has become increasingly important in sustaining battlefield confidence, operational cohesion and long term mission success.
The army chief also warned against the reckless use of social media and digital communication platforms by military personnel, saying careless online activities could compromise operational security and damage institutional integrity.
He urged senior non commissioned officers to enforce responsible digital conduct within their units while ensuring strict adherence to communication protocols and information management procedures.
Lieutenant General Shaibu further directed the RSMs to intensify mentorship for younger soldiers in order to preserve the core values and professional standards of the Nigerian Army.
He stressed that ethical conduct, discipline and leadership guidance must remain central to military training and regimentation at all command levels.
The COAS maintained that effective mentorship would help produce highly motivated soldiers who are combat ready, professionally grounded and fully committed to national security objectives.
Earlier, the Chief of Administration (Army), Isa Abdullahi, said the convention underscored the Nigerian Army’s commitment to improving administrative efficiency, troop welfare and operational readiness.
Major General Abdullahi urged participants to deploy the knowledge and strategic insights gained during the convention toward improving discipline, regimentation and operational performance across formations nationwide.
The convention is widely seen as part of the Nigerian Army’s broader transformation drive aimed at deepening professionalism, boosting combat efficiency and strengthening internal leadership structures amid ongoing security operations across the country.