President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved significant changes in the leadership of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, appointing new Service Chiefs in what is described as a strategic move to reinforce the nation’s security framework.
According to a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, the President named former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, as the new Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa.
Other appointments include 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. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position.
The statement noted that all appointments take immediate effect.
President Tinubu, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, commended the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff and other retired Service Chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership.” He urged the new military heads to uphold the trust placed in them by demonstrating “enhanced professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship” in their respective roles.
The reshuffle marks part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to reposition the security sector, improve inter-service coordination, and sustain the momentum in combating terrorism, banditry, and other security threats nationwide.
