The Nigerian Army is repositioning its regimental leadership structure to reinforce combat culture, discipline and operational resilience amid evolving security threats across multiple theatres.
This according to the Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele formed the central focus of the First Regimental Sergeant Majors’ Convention 2026, held at the Postgraduate School, Old Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna state.
A statement by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele said the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, tasked Regimental Sergeant Majors to deepen the warrior ethos across formations and units.
The convention, themed “Empowering Regimental Sergeant Majors to Drive Combat Readiness and Professional Excellence,” brought together senior non-commissioned officers for strategic discussions on leadership, discipline, mentorship and operational effectiveness.
Addressing participants, the Army Chief described Regimental Sergeant Majors as critical institutional anchors responsible for sustaining morale, regimentation and esprit de corps, particularly among troops operating in conflict zones.
“The cultivation of a strong warrior ethos remains central to building resilient, disciplined and mission-oriented forces capable of confronting emerging and asymmetric threats.”
Lieutenant General Shaibu also warned against irresponsible use of digital platforms, stressing that unregulated social media activity could compromise operational security and weaken institutional integrity.
“RSMs must lead from the front by enforcing responsible digital conduct and strengthening information discipline within their formations.”
He further directed senior non-commissioned officers to intensify mentorship of younger soldiers to preserve regimental values and strengthen professionalism across the force structure.
Earlier, the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General Isa Abdullahi, said the convention aligns with the Army’s broader transformation agenda aimed at improving operational readiness, discipline and administrative efficiency.
He urged participants to translate lessons from the convention into measurable improvements in troop welfare, leadership standards and operational performance across units.
The renewed focus on Regimental Sergeant Majors reflects growing recognition of non-commissioned leadership as a stabilising force in maintaining combat cohesion during prolonged internal security operations.
Beyond battlefield tactics, the Army appears to be investing in institutional culture, discipline and mentorship structures as long-term pillars for sustaining operational effectiveness in complex asymmetric warfare environments.
