By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Following the appointment of Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu as the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, a new defining phase has emerged in the history of the Nigerian Army.

The new COAS succeeds Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, who has been elevated to the position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Shaibu’s appointment marks what many observers describe as a defining phase in the continued transformation of the Nigerian Army towards enhanced operational readiness, professionalism, and a renewed commitment to the defence of national sovereignty.

Born on Dec. 18, 1971, in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi, Shaibu was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 41 Regular Course in 1989.

He was commissioned into the Armoured Corps on Sept. 17, 1994. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the NDA, Kaduna.

The new Army Chief also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.

He also holds three Master’s degrees in Public Administration from University of Calabar, Strategic Studies from University of Ibadan, and Security and Strategic Studies from National Defence University, Washington D.C.

Shaibu is an alumnus of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and the National Productivity Centre’s Senior Executive Programme in Applied Leadership and Strategy.

Throughout his career, he attended several professional and leadership courses, including the Young Officers Courses (Armour and Infantry), Company Amphibious Operations, Junior and Senior Staff Courses, Battalion Commanders Course, and the Higher Defence Management Course at the National Defence College, Abuja.

He also participated in the Defence Resources Management Course in Kenya and the Counter-Terrorism Fellows Programme at the National Defence University, Washington D.C.

Shaibu has held several strategic, command and instructional appointments, including General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri; Brigade Commander, 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Bama; and Chief of Training, Army Headquarters.

Other appointments include Director, Coordination, National Defence College; Principal Staff Officer (Army), Defence Headquarters; Chief Instructor, Nigerian Army Armour School; Assistant Director, Peacekeeping Operations, Defence Headquarters; Commanding Officer, 243 Battalion, Monguno; and Chief of Staff, 23 Brigade, Yola.

He also served as Military Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of Liberia, and Military Observer with the African Mission in Sudan.

His operational record covers major military engagements, including Operations HARMONY, BOYONA, ZAMAN LAFIYA, LAFIYA DOLE, TURA TAKAIBANGO, HADIN KAI, DESERT SANITY, and LAKE SANITY.

Internationally, Shaibu represented Nigeria in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and the African Mission in Sudan (AMIS), as well as in Nigeria’s Foreign Training Assistance Mission to Liberia.

In recognition of his distinguished service, the new Army Chief has received several awards and decorations, including the Forces Service Star (FSS), Meritorious Service Star (MSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Command Medal, Field Command Medal, Distinguished Service Order (Liberia), Pass Staff College (psc), Fellow Defence College (fdc), Foreign Assistance Training Medal, and the Purple Heart Medal for gallantry in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.

A family man, Shaibu is married to Hajia Safiyyah Hassan, and they are blessed with two children, Haneef and Hafeeza.

As he assumes command as the 25th Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Shaibu is expected to bring renewed vigour, strategic foresight, and operational audacity to the Army’s transformation efforts.

Observers say his leadership will likely consolidate ongoing reforms, strengthen joint operations, enhance intelligence-led warfare, and promote innovation in defence technology, logistics, and personnel development. (NAN)