Nigerian Army commanders must prioritise troops and mission above personal interest – COAS
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, on Saturday charged Nigerian Army commanders at all levels to always place the welfare of their subordinates and the success of assigned missions above personal gain.
Oluyede made the call while delivering his opening remarks at the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) Lecture held at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.
The lecture, themed “The Soldier First Concept and the Future of the Nigerian Army: Shaping a New Culture for Army Transformation,” was delivered by former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya.
The COAS said the core of the Army’s evolving transformation strategy was built around soldier-centric leadership, which emphasizes selfless command, responsive administration, and operational effectiveness.
“The renewed drive towards this concept has influenced our policies in some key areas. This is seen in our conscious promotion of the leadership style where commanders prioritise the needs of their subordinates and their mission above personal gain,” Oluyede said.
He added that such leadership would inspire confidence among troops, foster loyalty, and boost morale, especially in theatres of operation where soldiers face extreme risks and hardship.
Oluyede stressed that the Army’s transformation must go beyond structural reforms to embrace a culture of fairness, merit, and open communication, noting that soldiers perform best when they feel respected and cared for by their superiors.
“A soldier who understands that his well-being is the priority of his commanders at all levels and the Chief of Army Staff will naturally be motivated and encouraged to perform better, even in the face of adversity,” he said.
The COAS also announced new measures aimed at institutionalising the “Soldier First” concept across the Nigerian Army. These include enhanced training programmes, better accommodation and healthcare for soldiers and their families, and merit-based promotion and reward systems.
He said commanders must demonstrate servant-leadership by being accessible, empathetic, and mission-driven in all their engagements with troops.
Oluyede further directed the Army Headquarters Department of Training to ensure that all military institutions update their curricula in line with current and emerging operational realities, and to work more closely with tri-service training schools.
“We must take deliberate steps to ensure that soldiers have the right leadership, the right tools, and the right motivation to carry out their duties effectively,” he said.
The COAS reaffirmed that under his command, the Nigerian Army would remain committed to reforms that strengthen professionalism, uphold discipline, and reinforce the value of selfless service.
The event was attended by three former Chiefs of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), and Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd) whom Oluyede described as pillars of institutional legacy and leadership.
