The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, has charged the Nigerian Army Band Corps to strengthen mentorship, discipline and personnel development to improve professional standards and operational effectiveness.
Shaibu gave the charge on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the opening of the 10th Annual Training Week and Retreat of the Corps at Abalti Barracks, Ojuelegba, Lagos.
The retreat, themed “Building a Formidable Nigerian Army Band Corps: Strategies for Retention, Mentorship and Discipline in a Joint and Multi Agency Operational Setting,” focuses on addressing personnel challenges, preserving institutional knowledge and preparing officers and soldiers for future responsibilities.
The COAS stressed the need for senior personnel to transfer their knowledge and experience to younger officers and soldiers through structured mentorship and continuous training. He also urged commanders at all levels to prioritise personnel welfare and professional growth without compromising discipline and military obligations.
He described the Army Band Corps as an important part of the Nigerian Army’s traditions and ceremonial activities, noting that its performances contribute to troop morale, strengthen regimental pride and project a positive image of the Service to the public.
Shaibu commended the Acting Director of the Army Band Corps and his team for organising the retreat. He urged participants to identify challenges affecting the Corps and develop practical solutions to personnel retention, training, discipline and leadership development.
The Army Chief further directed participants to draw from the expertise of resource persons and share experiences from their respective units to improve professional standards. He emphasised that recommendations from the retreat must be realistic, achievable and translated into concrete actions across training programmes and daily operations.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to supporting the Corps in discharging its responsibilities, while charging officers and soldiers to remain loyal, disciplined and dedicated to duty in upholding the honour and traditions of the Service.
Earlier, the Acting Director of the Nigerian Army Band Corps, Lt Col Michael Toriola, expressed appreciation to the COAS for his continued support, particularly in upgrading the Corps’ equipment and improving its operational capacity.
Toriola explained that the need to reciprocate the Army Chief’s support and address the loss of skilled bandsmen, especially through retirement, informed the choice of the retreat’s theme. He urged officers and personnel to take the training week seriously and develop strategies to retain experienced hands, strengthen mentorship and sustain professional standards.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of souvenirs and the planting of trees, underscoring the Corps’ commitment to professional development and environmental sustainability.