The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Monday paid tribute to fallen heroes and reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to enhanced troop welfare as the service reviewed its operational posture.
Shaibu paid the tribute on Monday, at the opening of the COAS First Bi-Annual Conference 2026 in Abuja.
He led a solemn presentation of Nigerian Army Personnel Insurance cheques to families of deceased personnel and soldiers wounded in action at the event.
The COAS said the gesture reflected the army’s enduring obligation to those who paid the supreme price and those who bear lasting injuries in service to the nation.
He said the sacrifices of fallen troops remain a permanent reminder of the cost of national security, adding that their courage continues to underpin ongoing counter-insurgency and internal security operations across the country.
Shaibu noted that the welfare of serving personnel remained central to his leadership philosophy, stressing that no operational success can be sustained without adequate care, motivation and support for troops on the front lines.
He reiterated the “Soldier First Concept,” which prioritizes welfare, morale, training, and professional development as critical enablers of combat effectiveness, and urged commanders to maintain close engagement with personnel under their command.
According to him, the Nigerian Army is intensifying efforts to improve living conditions, healthcare delivery, accommodation and operational support systems for troops and their families across formations nationwide.
Shaibu also disclosed ongoing initiatives aimed at expanding army’s operational footprint through the establishment of new formations, alongside increased recruitment and infrastructure upgrades designed to strengthen response capacity in flashpoints.
He said medical evacuation systems have been improved to ensure timely treatment of injured personnel, both within Nigeria and abroad, as part of broader welfare reforms being implemented under his leadership.
The COAS further emphasized the importance of civil-military relations, noting that sustained public support remains critical to operational success, particularly in areas affected by insecurity.
He assured that the Army would continue to balance kinetic operations with non-kinetic engagements aimed at winning public trust and strengthening stability in affected communities.
Shaibu expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for continued support to the military, especially in the areas of equipment procurement, infrastructure development and personnel welfare.
He charged senior officers to sustain ongoing reforms and ensure that welfare interventions translate into improved morale and operational effectiveness across all theatres.
The conference continues in Abuja with strategic briefings and reviews aimed at consolidating operational gains and strengthening the Army’s capacity to address evolving security challenges. (NAN)
