President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of new service chiefs in a major shake-up of Nigeria’s military hierarchy, marking one of the most significant changes in the nation’s security leadership since the start of his administration.
According to a statement issued by the Presidential Spokesperson on Friday, the appointments take immediate effect and are aimed at strengthening the country’s security architecture amid persistent challenges of insurgency, banditry, and separatist unrest.
Under the new arrangement, Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede has been named Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa. Major General W. Shaibu assumes office as Chief of Army Staff, while Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke becomes the Chief of Air Staff.
In the Navy, Rear Admiral I. Abbas steps in as the Chief of Naval Staff. Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The President commended the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” while charging the new appointees to “uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and commitment to national unity.”
Strategic Reset in Military Leadership
The appointments come at a critical time as Nigeria continues to grapple with complex security threats across multiple regions.
The move is seen by analysts as a calculated effort by the Tinubu administration to inject new energy into the armed forces and realign military priorities with evolving security realities.
With insurgent groups still active in the northeast, rising cases of kidnapping and banditry in the northwest, and separatist tensions in the southeast, the shake-up underscores Tinubu’s resolve to pursue a more coordinated and intelligence-driven approach to national security.
What’s Ahead
Observers say the success of the new service chiefs will depend on their ability to sustain morale within the armed forces, improve intelligence sharing, and strengthen cooperation with civilian authorities.
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As the new leadership takes charge, expectations remain high for a more proactive and people-focused security framework that addresses both immediate threats and the long-term stability of the nation.
