The National Defence College (NDC) has presented a strategic research paper to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, outlining a roadmap to strengthen the leadership capacity of the Nigerian Army’s Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) as part of efforts to enhance operational effectiveness and mission success by 2035.
The research paper, titled “Strengthening Non-Commissioned Officers Leadership for Operational Efficiency: Strategic Options for the Nigerian Army by 2035,” was presented on Wednesday at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, by the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed. The study provided strategic policy options aimed at reinforcing leadership, professionalism and institutional resilience through the development of a more capable, empowered and future-ready NCO corps.
Receiving the report, the Chief of Army Staff commended the Commandant and participants of National Defence College Course 34 for producing what he described as a timely, forward-looking and operationally relevant study. He said the research represents a valuable intellectual contribution to the Nigerian Army’s ongoing transformation agenda, noting that effective leadership at the NCO level remained indispensable to building a highly professional, disciplined and combat-ready force capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described Non-Commissioned Officers as the backbone of the Nigerian Army, stressing that they serve as the vital link between commanders and soldiers by translating operational intent into decisive action on the battlefield. He noted that strengthening their leadership capacity is fundamental to improving tactical effectiveness, operational readiness and overall mission accomplishment.
The Army Chief assured that the recommendations contained in the research paper would be carefully examined by the appropriate departments at the Army Headquarters for possible integration into existing policies and leadership development programmes.
He reiterated that investment in the professional development, welfare and career progression of soldiers remains central to his command philosophy of advancing the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
According to him, the study also aligned with his “Soldier First” culture, which prioritises the welfare, professional growth and empowerment of personnel as the foundation for enhanced operational capability, institutional excellence and national security.
Earlier, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed explained that the research was undertaken by Nigerian Army participants of National Defence College Course 34 as part of the academic requirements of the programme. He said the study critically examined existing gaps in NCO leadership development and proposed strategic reforms aimed at strengthening training, mentorship, career progression and welfare frameworks to prepare future leaders for increasingly complex operational environments.
The NDC Commandant expressed confidence that implementing the study’s recommendations would further enhance the leadership effectiveness of the Nigerian Army’s NCO corps, deepen professionalism and reinforce the Service’s capacity to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty and protect the nation’s territorial integrity in an increasingly dynamic security landscape.
