By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Nigerian Army has unveiled a new Command Philosophy designed to reposition the service as a highly professional, agile, combat-effective and resilient force capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, unveiled the doctrine on Wednesday while delivering a lecture to participants of Senior Course 48 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the new doctrine — branded PROSE — represents a decisive strategic shift toward institutional strengthening, modernization and sustained operational excellence.
The spokesperson stated that the COAS emphasized the need for leadership rooted in character, courage and genuine concern for personnel, particularly in light of the Army’s ongoing counterinsurgency, counterterrorism and other internal security operations across the country’s geopolitical zones.
Quoting the Army Chief, the statement noted that effective leadership in today’s dynamic security environment must combine tactical proficiency with enduring institutional strength.
Colonel Anele explained that the PROSE philosophy is built on five pillars: Professional Excellence, Robust Administration, Operational Readiness, Strategic Cooperation and Exemplary Leadership. These pillars, she said, are anchored on a “Soldier-First Culture” that prioritizes personnel welfare, morale, training, dignity and empowerment as the foundation of combat effectiveness and institutional credibility.
The statement further indicated that the doctrine is intended to accelerate the Army’s transformation into a force fully capable of discharging its constitutional mandate within joint and multi-agency frameworks.
Innovation, the COAS said, would drive progress, while resilience would remain the defining spirit of the Nigerian soldier.
Beyond battlefield achievements, the Army Chief stressed that operational success must also be measured by public trust, strengthened civil-military relations and strict adherence to the rule of law.
He urged participants of the senior course — described as future operational and strategic leaders — to internalize the philosophy and translate it into measurable impact across formations and units nationwide.
The spokesperson added that the introduction of the PROSE-driven Command Philosophy underscores the Army’s resolve to balance sustained internal security commitments with long-term force development, modernization and institutional reform in response to Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.
