The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has emphasized that the effectiveness of Junior and Mid-Level Commanders is central to the success of all Nigerian Army operations and the overall security of the nation.
Oluyede made the remark while declaring open a seminar on transformational leadership organized by the Army Headquarters Department of Army Transformation and Innovation (AHQ DATI) at the Headquarters 2 Division, Ibadan, on 16 October 2025.
The seminar, themed “Transformational Leadership and Nigerian Army Operational Effectiveness in a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment,” was targeted at junior and middle-cadre personnel of the Nigerian Army.
Represented by the Chief of Transformation and Innovation (Army), the COAS said the Nigerian Army’s renewed focus on leadership and effective followership, especially at the tactical level, was aimed at empowering frontline commanders to lead troops effectively, sustain morale, and preserve their fighting spirit.
“The current operational landscape requires leaders with the character, commitment, and capacity for quick mental appreciation, as well as the ability to translate available intelligence into decisive action,” Oluyede stated. He charged participants to maximize the opportunity provided by the seminar to enhance their leadership abilities and operational competence.
The Army Chief commended the Chief of Transformation and Innovation (Army), his team, resource persons, and participants for their contributions to the success of the programme. He also expressed gratitude to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support and strategic guidance to the Nigerian Army.
In a welcome address, the Deputy Director, Operations Analysis, AHQ DATI, Brigadier General I.E. Akpaumontia, who represented the Chief of Transformation and Innovation (Army), said the seminar was designed to strengthen leadership efforts toward repositioning the Nigerian Army to uphold regimentation, discipline, and professional standards among its personnel.
“It is equally aimed at institutionalising mentorship as a framework for raising future leaders,” Akpaumontia noted.
He added that with ongoing security challenges within the 2 Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR), commanders must continually update their leadership and decision-making skills to effectively motivate troops and work collaboratively with sister services and other stakeholders.
The seminar featured lectures on key topics, including “Building the Leadership Capacity of Junior and Mid-Cadre Commanders in the Nigerian Army,” “Effects of Drug/Substance Abuse on Combat Readiness,” and “Effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on Troops’ Combat Readiness in Operations.”
Each presentation was followed by an interactive session, allowing participants to engage with the resource persons and deepen their understanding of effective military leadership.
, Lieutenant General O.O. Oluyede, has emphasized that the effectiveness of Junior and Mid-Level Commanders is central to the success of all Nigerian Army operations and the overall security of the nation.){kind=link}