COAS to Graduating Officers: Justify the Nation’s Investment, Lead With Vision

Abuja — The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has issued a resounding call to Nigerian Army officers to rise above the ordinary, justify the nation’s heavy investment in their training, and provide visionary leadership in the face of Nigeria’s complex security challenges.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony of participants of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) Leadership and Strategic Studies Course 3/2024 in Abuja on Friday, Oluyede charged the newly minted officers to be adaptive, professional, and forward-thinking in confronting threats to national security.

Represented by Maj.-Gen. Gbemiga Adesina, Director-General of the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, the COAS stressed that Nigeria’s fast-changing security environment demands officers who can think critically, strategise effectively, and lead with foresight.

> “The Nigerian Army expects you to apply the knowledge and skills gained here to enhance operational efficiency and contribute meaningfully to national security. I charge you, therefore, to be exemplary ambassadors of this Centre and to justify the investment made in your training,” Oluyede declared.



The course, he noted, was carefully designed to close operational and strategic gaps in the Army’s leadership structure, preparing officers for the highest professional demands.

11 Months of Rigorous Training

The graduating officers, made up of one Colonel and 34 Lieutenant Colonels drawn from different corps, units, and formations, underwent 11 months of intense training in political economy, defence economics, leadership, strategy, military history, policy analysis, and critical thinking.

Oluyede commended the current Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. James Myam, for his tireless commitment to running the programme, while also paying tribute to his predecessor, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, for conceiving and nurturing the initiative.

He further lauded the efforts of facilitators, academic partners, and families who supported the officers during the demanding training period, reiterating that human capacity development remains a cornerstone of the Army’s operational effectiveness.

Graduates to be Closely Monitored

Earlier, Maj.-Gen. Myam described the course as “rigorous, holistic, and transformative,” urging graduands to apply the lessons learned with integrity and professionalism.

> “We expect your performance to reflect the quality of learning you have received here. You will be monitored not only by your actions but also by the quality of your thoughts and contributions. Be worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre,” he said.



Myam praised the unwavering support of the COAS, whose funding and institutional backing have kept the centre vibrant, while also acknowledging the sacrifices of officers’ families throughout the rigorous training period.

Strategic Future for the Army

The Leadership and Strategic Studies Course, introduced to bridge training gaps between direct regular commissioned officers and their combatant counterparts, remains a flagship programme in strengthening the intellectual backbone of the Army.

The graduation of 35 officers marks another step in the Nigerian Army’s broader commitment to developing a new generation of leaders—equipped not just for battlefields, but also for boardrooms of strategy and policy, where the nation’s security decisions are crafted.