By Editor
In his opening remarks on Friday, July 4, at the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) Lecture held at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, urged Nigerian Army commanders at all levels to consistently prioritise the welfare of their subordinates and the success of assigned missions above personal interests.
This message was further reinforced in a lecture, titled “The Soldier First Concept and the Future of the Nigerian Army: Shaping a New Culture for Army Transformation.”
The lecture, delivered by former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, emphasised that the heart of the Army’s evolving transformation strategy is built around soldier-centric leadership, which in turn is anchored on selfless command, responsive administration, and operational effectiveness.
Expounding on this concept, the COAS said: “The renewed drive towards this concept has influenced our policies in some key areas. This is seen in our conscious promotion of the leadership style where commanders prioritise the needs of their subordinates and their mission above personal gain.
“A soldier who understands that his well-being is the priority of his commanders at all levels and the Chief of Army Staff will naturally be motivated and encouraged to perform better, even in the face of adversity.”
Beyond rhetoric, the Army Chief announced new measures aimed at institutionalising the “Soldier First” concept across the Nigerian Army. These include enhanced training programmes, improved accommodation and healthcare for soldiers and their families, as well as merit-based systems for promotion and rewards.
He further directed the Army Headquarters Department of Training to ensure that all military institutions update their curricula in accordance with current and emerging operational realities, while strengthening collaboration with tri-service training schools.
“We must take deliberate steps to ensure that soldiers have the right leadership, the right tools, and the right motivation to carry out their duties effectively,” he said.
This development speaks volume about a forward-looking Chief of Army Staff, who is driving significant strides in national security and personnel welfare with foresight. Those unfamiliar with General Oluyede’s trajectory are likely to be curious about the kind of soldier he is, prompting reflection on his career to date.
He was initially appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Tinubu on September 30, 2024, following the incapacitation of his predecessor, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. General Oluyede’s appointment was, however, formally confirmed on December 9, 2024, after the unfortunate passing of General Lagbaja.
Given the shared background of both he and his predecessor, as intakes of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, the army leadership transition was seamless. And given the scope and depth of his experience, there was little doubt regarding Oluyede’s capability for the role. From the time he enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987, commissioned as Second Lieutenant in 1992, and promoted to Major General in 2020, to his present position as Chief of Army Staff, his military career of over three decades has been filled with commanding roles at every level, as Platoon Commander, Company Commander, Commandant of the Amphibious Training School, and Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade. These roles afforded him a thorough understanding of the intricacies of military operations.
Whereas his tenure as the 56th Commander of the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna, deepened his operational knowledge in infantry strategy and hands-on combat leadership, his service in international missions, including ECOMOG in Liberia and Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, provided diplomatic and multinational grounding. Moreover, he has led major counterinsurgency efforts, notably Operation Hadin Kai in the North East, targeting Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). These cumulative experiences inform his current drive for a reorientation of the Nigerian Army, with the objective of empowering soldiers as the cornerstone of national security.
By and large, his commitment to the “Soldier First” principle is not merely compassionate—it is a strategic imperative, intended to lay the foundation of a transformation agenda for the army.
Here is the refined version in British English:
One might ask: what lies at the heart of the Soldiers First concept? Quite simply, it is a philosophy that places the welfare and professional development of Nigerian Army personnel at the core of institutional reform.
Oluyede succinctly captured the essence of the philosophy when he stated: “We recognise that the effectiveness of the Army lies in the quality and welfare of the soldier. When the soldier is well taken care of, well-trained and well-equipped, the nation is safer and our democracy more secure.”
Indeed, there is no better time to implement the policy than now. Presently, Nigeria is mounting a robust campaign against multifaceted insecurity due to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and related crimes. And under General Oluyede’s leadership, the Nigerian Army is executing a multi-pronged strategy to modernise the force, counter mounting threats, and protect national unity and sovereignty.
Another valid question is: has the “Soldier First” agenda delivered tangible outcomes in the lives of soldiers? The evidence suggests it has.
Oluyede’s leadership has implemented a landmark policy of 100 per cent increase in the daily Ration Cash Allowance, from N1,500 to N3,000, effective March 2025—a timely measure to alleviate economic hardship and uplift morale.
A low-interest loan scheme was also launched, offering loans at a subsidised 3 per cent interest rate, significantly below commercial rates, aimed at easing financial burdens on troops.
Likewise, as a measure to address uniform supply shortages, the Army has also commenced the distribution of 100,000 kits monthly, with a commitment to full-scale coverage.
The centrepiece of the welfare reform, however, is the Affordable Housing Ownership Options for All Soldiers initiative. Designed to provide retiring personnel with access to reasonably priced homes, this scheme enables soldiers to acquire two- or three-bedroom houses for as low as N8 million.
Already, over 400 personnel have benefited, including a dedicated five per cent reserved for wounded veterans. A flagship project in Idu, Abuja, features 100 blocks of four flats, accommodating 400 families. The scheme is being expanded to ten additional cities namely Awka, Bauchi, Enugu, Ibadan, Lagos, Oshogbo, Otukpo, Owerri, Calabar, and Warri, many in collaboration with state governments.
In Lagos, new barracks accommodation was recently commissioned at Dodan Barracks, Obalende, specifically for corporals and lower ranks, and senior non-commissioned officers, reinforcing COAS’s pledge to uplift all ranks.
Beyond finance and shelter, General Oluyede’s leadership has also prioritised health and education. As part of NADCEL 2025, the Army embarked on civil-military cooperation projects, including free medical services and outreach programmes, traditionally led by the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA).
It is also worth noting that over the past ten months, Oluyede’s administration has made a concerted effort to inspire the next generation by increasing public speaking engagements at secondary schools within military formations, using these platforms to emphasise the Army’s commitment to youth development and military career mentoring.
Thus far, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede’s stewardship as Chief of Army Staff is being defined by a visionary, soldier-centred ethos under the “Soldier First” doctrine. Even as the nation grapples with complex and multifaceted security challenges, his leadership sends a clear message: a secure and democratic Nigeria rests on the well-being, professionalism, and effectiveness of its soldiers.