By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | Katsina Times

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, says the ongoing expansion of the Nigerian Army will strengthen its operational capacity and help create a secure environment for entrepreneurship, the creative industry and other sectors of the economy to thrive.

The COAS stated this on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, while delivering a lecture titled, “Safeguarding the Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development: The Role of the Nigerian Army,” to participants of Senior Executive Course 48, 2026, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.

Lieutenant General Shaibu described the Orange Economy, which includes arts, culture, music, film and digital content, as an increasingly important contributor to employment, investment, cultural diplomacy and national development.

He said Nigeria’s creative talents continue to project the country internationally while opening new opportunities for wealth creation beyond traditional economic sectors.

The Army Chief, however, stressed that creativity, entrepreneurship and investment require a peaceful and secure environment to flourish.

According to him, insecurity disrupts economic activities, restricts movement, discourages investment and negatively affects productivity, making national security a key component of sustainable economic development.

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Speaking on the expansion of the Nigerian Army, Shaibu explained that the establishment of additional formations and units was aimed at broadening the Army’s operational footprint, strengthening its presence in vulnerable areas and improving its response to security threats.

He said the expanded force structure would also enhance the protection of communities, critical national infrastructure and economic activities while restricting the freedom of action of terrorists and other criminal elements.

The COAS noted that the Army’s contribution to national development goes beyond direct military operations against security threats, saying sustained operations help create the stability needed by businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and creative professionals to operate and grow.

He called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, the private sector and stakeholders in the creative industry, stressing that maintaining a secure environment is a collective responsibility.

Lieutenant General Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening national security and supporting the conditions necessary for investment, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development.

Katsina Times
September 15, 2026