Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Chief of Army Staff, reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to national sovereignty and addressing complex threats during the NADCEL 2026 Lecture in Port Harcourt on July 4, 2026.
Shaibu spoke at the event, which focused on Nigeria’s security environment. He noted challenges including insurgency, terrorism, banditry, cyber warfare, organised crime and resource-based conflicts, alongside regional instability in the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea.
Emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and cyber capabilities are reshaping operations, Shaibu said. He emphasised the need for an agile and innovative force, supported by intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration and integration of new tools.
The COAS highlighted a people-centred approach that prioritises human rights and rules of engagement. He credited President Bola Tinubu, sister services and security agencies for their support, and praised soldiers for their dedication.
Retired Maj.-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo, the special guest, described the army as a pillar of national stability and noted that ongoing modernisation would strengthen its response to threats.
