Apply your knowledge, experience to tackle insecurity in Nigeria, Sultan charges visiting Chief of Army Staff
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The Sultan, who ascended the Usmaniyyah throne on November 2, 2006, has been widely recognised for offering constructive criticism and advisory support to government authorities on matters of national security, governance and peaceful coexistence.
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, HFNIM, has urged the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shu’aibu, to deploy his professional knowledge and experience in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
The Sultan made the call on Friday, December 26, 2025, when the Chief of Army Staff paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Sokoto, amidst mixed reactions that have greeted the United States of America’s airstrikes described by President Donald Trump as carried out to protect only Christians in the multi-religious society that Nigeria is.
Commending the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their sacrifices, the monarch praised their continued efforts in safeguarding lives and property across the country, while encouraging them to sustain the momentum.
Speaking during the visit, the Sultan — who is a retired General of the Nigerian Army and Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN) — assured the military leadership of his continued offering of guidance on security matters.
“My doors remain open for advice and suggestions on how to move the country forward, especially in the area of security,” he said.
The traditional leader encouraged Lt Gen Shu’aibu to draw on his years of service and operational experience to confront the menace of insecurity facing the nation. He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Shu’aibu as Chief of Army Staff, praying for continued success for the Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional duties.
The Sultan, who ascended the Usmaniyyah throne on November 2, 2006, has been widely recognised for offering constructive criticism and advisory support to government authorities on matters of national security, governance and peaceful coexistence.
Earlier in his remarks, Lt Gen Waidi Shu’aibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to collaborating with traditional and community leaders to enhance peace, stability and national cohesion.
According to him, the Army remains resolute in strengthening civil-military relations as part of efforts to address security challenges across the country.
The visit underscored the Nigerian Army’s renewed commitment to fostering cooperation with traditional institutions in support of national unity, peace and security, which is in line with the Sultan’s pet project of ensuring Nigerians see the diversity of the peoples their strength as against being a source of conflict among them.
To achieve success in the ongoing of the COAS, the political class ruling the country may have to make a paradigm shift from rulership to leadership and ensure that unaddressed injustices being perpetrated by both security agencies and non-state actors against citizens are adequately and unbiasedly paid attention to and addressed.
This, if done, will go a long way in helping ameliorate the unhealthy state of the nation so peace, unity and security intended for the good of the country will be well sustained, The DEFENDER reports
