“Soldier First” Concept Will Build the Warrior Ethos in Nigerian Troops — Gen Farouk Yahaya
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya (rtd), has emphasized that the adoption and institutionalization of the “Soldier First” concept will be instrumental in cultivating a strong “warrior ethos” among Nigerian soldiers.
Delivering a keynote lecture titled “The Soldier First Concept in Shaping a New Culture for Transformation in the Nigerian Army” at the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025, held at the Nigerian Defence Academy Auditorium in Kaduna, Gen Yahaya explained that placing the soldier at the centre of operational and administrative focus would awaken a war-ready spirit in troops and foster a unified, mission-driven force.
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According to the former Army Chief, the warrior ethos, a deep-rooted sense of duty, courage, and loyalty, is not something that soldiers acquire overnight. Rather, it is cultivated through a consistent and deliberate system that prioritizes their welfare, wellbeing, and morale.
“The warrior ethos gives rise to an internal voice that motivates the soldier to give his all, to fight, and to never let down his or his colleagues or his nation; but that will only happen when the soldier is sure that the system truly cares and stands by him”, Gen Yahaya stated.
He further argued that this ethos will strengthen unit cohesion and foster a sense of belonging among troops, especially when they know they are supported by their commanders and the larger military structure.
Gen Yahaya maintained that a soldier-centric command culture, anchored on welfare, recognition, and motivation, is essential for the transformation and operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army in an era of complex and evolving security challenges.
His remarks formed part of a broader discussion on evolving new paradigms to sustain the Nigerian Army’s transformation drive and reposition the force for better internal cohesion and battlefield excellence.
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