The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has urged troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division to develop mental resilience and remain focused when confronted with traumatic experiences arising from military operations.
Shaibu said soldiers must be equipped to manage operational stress and psychological challenges to maintain their effectiveness in the face of evolving security threats.
He gave the charge on Wednesday at the opening of a three-day seminar on Transformational Leadership, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Drugs/Substance Abuse, organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Army Transformation and Innovation at the 6 Division headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Represented by the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Major General Everest Okoro, the COAS noted that military personnel operate in volatile and demanding environments where their duties often expose them to traumatic experiences and psychological strain.
He said the seminar was designed to strengthen leadership, promote unit cohesion and equip soldiers with the resilience required to respond effectively to operational pressures.
According to him, the Nigerian Army continues to confront complex security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, militancy, banditry, sea piracy and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
Shaibu explained that the programme would examine the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse on operational performance, while highlighting the importance of regimentation, junior leadership and effective teamwork.
“The Nigerian Army operates in a security environment shaped by volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous dynamics, which expose our troops to intense operational pressure and psychological strain.
“These conditions demand physical readiness, mental resilience, sound judgement and strength of character,” he said.
The Army Chief added that the inclusion of an interactive session with soldiers’ families was intended to recognise the role spouses play in supporting personnel’s wellbeing and contributing to operational success.
He stressed that the mental health of troops must remain a priority, particularly as prolonged deployments and participation in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and other internal security operations could affect their psychological wellbeing.
Reaffirming his commitment to the Army’s “Soldiers First” culture, Shaibu said personnel must receive adequate care, sustained support and appropriate professional attention.
He urged participants to promote the early identification of PTSD symptoms, timely referrals for professional assistance and collective responsibility for safeguarding mental health.
“I therefore expect the sessions to promote early recognition, timely referral and collective responsibility in safeguarding mental wellbeing,” he added.
Shaibu also commended President Bola Tinubu for his support for the Nigerian Army and reaffirmed the military’s loyalty to the Nigerian Constitution.
Earlier, the Chief of Army Transformation and Innovation, Major General Peter Okoye, said the seminar aligned with the COAS’s vision of building a professional, adaptable, resilient and combat-ready Army capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities.
Okoye, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Army Transformation and Innovation, Transformation and Emerging Technology, Major General Ime Bassey, said the Army’s effectiveness depended not only on its equipment and operational capabilities but also on the mental readiness and discipline of its personnel.
He noted that sustaining the gains recorded in training and military operations required continuous investment in leadership development and the psychological wellbeing of troops.
“The strength of the Nigerian Army lies not only in its equipment and capabilities but also in the resilience, discipline and mental readiness of its personnel,” he said.
Okoye urged participants to take advantage of the seminar’s sessions to improve their knowledge, strengthen their leadership skills and prepare for the realities of their operational environment.
