The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has urged chief clerks across the Nigerian Army to embrace digital transformation, professionalism and administrative excellence to improve command decision-making and strengthen operational efficiency.
Shaibu gave the directive while declaring open the Second Biannual Nigerian Army Chief Clerks’ Convention 2026 in Jos, Plateau State.
Represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Maxwell Dangana, the Army Chief described the convention as an important platform for strengthening the administrative capacity of the military.
The convention, themed “Enhancing Clerical Effectiveness in Support of the Decision-Making Process in a Joint Security Environment,” seeks to improve administrative efficiency, inter-agency cooperation and institutional effectiveness in support of military operations.
Shaibu noted that chief clerks play critical roles in the Army’s command structure through accurate record-keeping, timely information management and effective administrative support across formations and units.
He stressed that administrative precision, personnel accountability and efficient information management are just as important to military success as firepower and battlefield manoeuvres.
The Army Chief therefore urged clerical personnel to see themselves as operational enablers rather than ordinary office administrators.
He reaffirmed his commitment to repositioning the Nigerian Army as an agile, adaptive and technologically empowered force, guided by five strategic pillars: professionalism and discipline, administrative efficiency, training and operational readiness, technological integration, and personnel welfare.
According to him, the Army is implementing significant administrative reforms, including the digitisation of service records, automation of salaries and allowances, and integration of personnel management systems across its formations.
He explained that the reforms are designed to promote transparency, accountability and efficiency while providing commanders with accurate personnel information for effective planning and decision-making.
Shaibu also emphasised the need for continuous professional development among clerical personnel, urging them to acquire advanced skills in leadership, information management and digital administration.
On personnel welfare, he reiterated the Army’s commitment to improving accommodation, healthcare services and the timely payment of personnel entitlements.
He encouraged participants to use the convention to exchange professional experiences, identify administrative challenges and develop practical recommendations that would improve efficiency and coordination across the Nigerian Army.
The COAS commended the GOC, 3 Division, the Department of Personnel Management and the Local Organising Committee for their commitment and efforts towards organising the convention.
The convention is expected to produce recommendations aimed at strengthening clerical effectiveness, improving administrative processes and supporting informed command decisions across the Nigerian Army.
Highlights of the opening ceremony included the presentation of souvenirs and group photographs.
