The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has warned Nigerian Army personnel against drug abuse and the stigma associated with mental health challenges, urging troops to prioritise their wellbeing and seek help when needed.
The COAS Shaibu drug abuse mental health warning was delivered during a address to personnel, ValidViewNetwork reports.
THE WARNING
Shaibu said drug abuse not only destroys individual lives and careers but also undermines the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.
He urged soldiers to avoid substance abuse and to treat mental health challenges with the seriousness they deserve. He also warned against the stigma that often prevents personnel from seeking help for mental health issues, stressing that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
THE CONTEXT
Shaibu assumed office as the 25th Chief of Army Staff on October 30, 2025, amid a complex security landscape that includes insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, farmer-herder clashes in the North-Central, and separatist tensions in the South-East .
His early tenure has been marked by a focus on troop welfare, operational consistency, and leadership by presence.
He has visited frontline formations, engaged with troops, and emphasised discipline and accountability .
He has also spoken openly about the constraints facing the Army, including equipment shortages and maintenance backlogs.
“You cannot demand excellence from soldiers without giving them the tools to succeed,” he said during one visit .
WHY IT MATTERS
The COAS’s warning is a recognition that the Nigerian Army’s greatest asset is not its weapons or its vehicles. It is its people.
Soldiers who are struggling with drug addiction or untreated mental health conditions cannot perform at their best. They are a risk to themselves, to their colleagues, and to the civilians they are sworn to protect.
By speaking openly about these issues, Shaibu is sending a message that the Army takes the wellbeing of its personnel seriously.
Whether that message translates into concrete support—counselling services, rehabilitation programmes, and a culture that encourages help-seeking—remains to be seen.
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But for now, the Chief of Army Staff has said the right thing. The question is whether the Army will do the right thing. ValidViewNetwork reports.