COAS Shaibu Reaffirms Nigeria’s Strategic Security Leadership In West Africa

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the country’s enduring leadership in regional peace and security, declaring that Liberia’s current stability was a direct result of Nigeria’s deliberate intervention, African solidarity, and military sacrifice.

Shaibu stated this on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia, where he was the Special Guest of Honour at events marking the 69th Armed Forces Day Anniversary of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).

He said Nigeria’s intervention during Liberia’s civil conflict was “neither incidental nor transactional,” but a “conscious foreign and defence policy decision undertaken in the collective interest of West African stability.”

“The stability enjoyed by the Republic of Liberia today stands as a direct outcome of deliberate governmental resolve, African solidarity and the sacrifices of the Nigerian Army,” General Shaibu said.

Recalling Nigeria’s leading role under the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), the Army Chief noted that Nigerian troops bore the heaviest operational responsibilities during Liberia’s crisis, recording significant casualties to halt state collapse and restore national sovereignty.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria demonstrated exceptional leadership by committing troops, resources and political will over an extended period,” he added, “laying the foundation for national reconciliation, democratic transition and post-conflict reconstruction in Liberia.”

At a dinner held in his honour, the COAS reflected on Nigeria’s involvement in rebuilding the post-war Armed Forces of Liberia. He recalled serving alongside the late Major General Suraj Alawo Abdurrahman, then Chief of Staff of the AFL, in what he described as an “Aircraft-in-Flight” reform process, rebuilding the force while it remained operational.

He expressed satisfaction that many of the officers mentored during that period now occupy key command positions, describing the AFL as “a shining testament to sustained international partnership, regional cooperation and adherence to core military values.”

Lt.-Gen. Shaibu urged the Liberian military to uphold professionalism, loyalty to constitutional authorities, and commitment to national service, stressing that Nigeria would continue to offer advisory and capacity-building support.

“Nigeria played a central role in mentoring, training and reorienting the force,” he said, “transforming it into a disciplined, motivated and democratically accountable institution now recognised as ‘A Force for Good.’”

Highlighting that Nigeria and Liberia’s defence relationship is built on “shared sacrifice and strategic trust,” the Army Chief reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to Liberia’s security and to broader West African stability.

Addressing the theme of the anniversary, “Securing Liberia Together: Strengthening Inter-Agency Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking and Emerging Security Threats,” COAS Shaibu warned that new threats including drug trafficking, cybercrime, maritime insecurity, and organised crime pose serious challenges to state authority and regional stability.

He cautioned that the spread of synthetic drugs now represents a major national security risk with implications for youth development and internal stability.

“We must adopt robust inter-agency synergy, intelligence-led operations and regional cooperation as pillars of effective security governance,” he advised.

Drawing from Nigeria’s experience, he recommended that Liberia sustain a “Whole of Government and Whole of Society” approach to security coordination to improve operational efficiency.

During the celebration, two senior Nigerian Army officers, Brigadier General Mohammed Sani Usman and Brigadier General Owoicho Egiga, were decorated with the Distinguished Service Order of Liberia for their meritorious service and contributions to Liberia’s Armed Forces.

Shaibu congratulated President Joseph Boakai, the Liberian High Command, and the people of Liberia on the occasion, expressing optimism that the AFL will continue to consolidate professionalism and operational effectiveness in service to national and regional peace.

He reaffirmed that under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, Nigeria remains “a dependable strategic partner to Liberia and the ECOWAS sub-region, committed to sustained defence cooperation, capacity building, and collective responses to transnational security threats.”