By LegalLinkz Newsroom
In a major restructuring of Nigeria’s military leadership, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Major General Waidi Shaibu as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), marking a new chapter in the nation’s defence command.
The appointment comes as part of sweeping reforms to strengthen national security and enhance operational efficiency across the Armed Forces.
Born on 18 December 1971, Major General Shaibu hails from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State.
A seasoned armoured corps officer and a scholar-soldier, his career spans more than three decades of service, marked by courage, intellect, and strategic command experience both within Nigeria and abroad.
Academic and Professional Excellence
Shaibu began his military journey in 1989 when he gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) as a member of the 41 Regular Course, earning a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering in 1993.
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps as a Second Lieutenant on 17 September 1994.
He furthered his education with a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar.
His academic pursuit also includes a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan and another Master’s in Security and Strategic Studies from the National Defence University, Washington DC, USA.
Major General Shaibu is also an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where he completed the Leadership for the 21st Century: Chaos, Conflict and Courage programme.
Additionally, he earned an Advanced Executive Certificate in Applied Leadership and Strategy from the National Productivity Senior Executive Programme.
Military Courses and Training
Throughout his distinguished career, Major General Shaibu attended an extensive list of local and international military courses, including:
- Young Officer Course (Armour, 1995)
- Young Officers Course (Infantry, 1996)
- Company Amphibious Operations Course (1997)
- Junior Staff Course, Ghana (2001)
- Senior Staff Course, Jaji (2005/2006)
- Exclusive Economic Zone Course (2007)
- Battalion Commanders Course (2011)
- Defence Resources Management Course, Kenya (2015)
- National Defence College, Abuja (Course 24, 2015/2016)
- Counter Terrorism Fellows Programme, National Defence University, Washington DC (2017)
He has also participated in numerous seminars and workshops on Irregular Warfare, Hybrid Warfare, and Gray Zone Operations, demonstrating his deep understanding of contemporary security dynamics.
Command Experience and Leadership Roles
Major General Shaibu’s service record reflects both depth and diversity in command and staff appointments. He has served as:
- Ag. Chief of Training (Army Headquarters.
- Brigade Commander, 21 Special Armoured Brigade, Bama
- Director of Coordination, National Defence College
- Principal Staff Officer (Army), Defence Headquarters
- Chief Instructor, Nigerian Army Armour School
- Assistant Director, Peacekeeping Operations (DHQ)
- Commanding Officer, 243 Battalion, Monguno
- Chief of Staff, 23 Brigade Headquarters, Yola
- Military Assistant to Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of Liberia
- GSO II (Operations), Army Headquarters
Military Observer, African Mission in Sudan
Until his new appointment, Major General Shaibu was serving as Director at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Abuja, where he contributed to developing long-term strategic concepts for the Army’s modernization and operational doctrine.
Operational Engagements
He has been part of several major military operations, including:
Operation HARMONY, Operation BOYONA, Operation ZAMAN LAFIYA, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Operation TURA TAKAIBANGO, Operation HADIN KAI, Operation DESERT SANITY, and Operation LAKE SANITY.
He has also participated in international peace support missions, including the African Mission in Sudan and the United Nations Mission in Liberia, and was part of Nigeria’s Foreign Training Assistance Mission to Liberia.
Awards and Decorations
For his outstanding service, Major General Shaibu has received numerous military honours, including:
- Forces Service Star (FSS)
- Meritorious Service Star (MSS)
- Distinguished Service Star (DSS)
- Distinguished Service Order (Liberia)
- Command Medal (CM)
- Field Command Medal (FCM)
- Pass Staff College (psc)
- Fellow of Defence College (fdc)
- Foreign Assistance Training Medal
- Purple Heart Medal (for Counter-Insurgency Operations in North East Nigeria)
Personal Life
Beyond the uniform, Major General Shaibu is known for his calm disposition and deep intellectual curiosity. His hobbies include reading, early morning walks, and deep contemplation.
He is happily married to Hajia Safiyyah Hassan, and their union is blessed with two children, a son, Haneef, and a daughter, Hafeeza.
As Nigeria’s new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu is expected to bring his vast operational experience, strategic insight, and commitment to modern military leadership to bear in transforming the Nigerian Army into a more agile, disciplined, and intelligence-driven force.
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