By Kabiru Abdulrauf
In a move to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced sweeping changes at the top ranks of the nation’s Armed Forces, appointing new Service Chiefs to lead the Defence, Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Under the new appointments, General Olufemi Oluyede takes over as Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa, who has held the position since June 2023, also appointed are Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, while the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, will retain his position.
In a statement issued by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, the President expressed appreciation to the outgoing Service Chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” while charging the new appointees to “justify the confidence reposed in them” by upholding professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces.
The reshuffle is the second major shake-up in the military under President Tinubu and signals a renewed strategy to tackle the complex web of security crises confronting the nation from terrorism and banditry to oil theft and separatist agitations.
The timing as significant, coming just months after renewed insurgent attacks in the North-East and worsening unrest in parts of the Middle Belt.
The new team is expected to focus on joint operations, intelligence sharing, and modernisation of combat logistics, in line with the administration’s “whole-of-government” approach to national security.
While General Oluyede’s appointment brings a fresh perspective to the Defence Headquarters, the retention of Major-General Undiendeye suggests that Tinubu is seeking balance blending fresh leadership with institutional memory.
For many observers, this realignment could mark a turning point for Nigeria’s armed forces, as the new Service Chiefs take on the urgent task of rebuilding public confidence and delivering tangible results in the fight against insecurity.
