Army Chief Of Training Urges Participants To Turn Adaptive Leadership Into Operational Action
The Chief of Training (COT) Army, Major General Valentine Okoro, has charged participants of the Nigerian Army Leadership Development Seminar (NALDS) 24/2026 to translate the adaptive leadership skills acquired during the seminar into practical actions within their respective theatres of operation. He gave the charge while delivering his closing remarks at the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration (NASFA) Auditorium on 12 March 2026. The five-day seminar, organised by the Nigerian Army (NA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered, commenced on 9 March 2026 and was themed “Adaptive Leadership in a Volatile Security Environment – Leading Effectively in the Era of Uncertainty and Rapid Change.”
The COT (A) noted that the volatile security environment confronting the nation demands leaders who are not only courageous and professionally competent but also adaptable, innovative and committed to ethical conduct. According to him, the NA currently operates in an increasingly complex and unpredictable environment which requires leaders capable of responding effectively to emerging operational challenges.
He observed that during the seminar, participants were exposed to critical concepts of adaptive leadership and its relevance within a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous environment. Major areas covered during the seminar included strategic thinking and decision-making under pressure, building resilient teams within the Nigerian military, leveraging technology for innovation and change leadership, as well as ethics, accountability and adaptive governance in the military.
Major General Okoro expressed satisfaction with the introduction of simulation exercises and interactive study group discussions, noting that such practical engagements are essential in building a more agile, responsive and effective NA. He added that the knowledge and insights gained from the seminar would enhance participants’ decision-making capacity and operational efficiency in the field. He reminded the officers that, as senior leaders within the NA, they occupy a critical tier of leadership and are entrusted with the responsibility of effectively managing and deploying personnel and resources under their command, therefore urging them to embrace adaptive leadership principles in their daily engagements and become catalysts for positive change within their units and formations.
The COT (A) also commended the NIM (Chartered) for its professionalism and sustained partnership with the NA in promoting leadership development. He further praised the Acting Commandant, officers and soldiers of the NASFA for their commitment in ensuring the successful conduct of the seminar.
Earlier, the Course Leader, Colonel Anthony Ogbu, stated that the seminar was designed to expose participants to both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of adaptive leadership within contemporary military operations. He noted that expert lectures, case studies, group discussions and simulation exercises provided participants with the opportunity to analyse realistic operational scenarios and strengthen their leadership competencies.
Colonel Ogbu added that the seminar provided an important platform for professional reflection, knowledge sharing and intellectual engagement among senior officers of the NA, while recommending the inclusion of civil–military and media interaction scenarios in future editions to further broaden the scope of leadership training.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates to participants in recognition of their successful completion of the seminar.
IBRAHIM SHITTU
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals
13 March 2026
