ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu on Friday announced a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s military leadership, appointing new service chiefs in a bid to strengthen the country’s security architecture amid persistent threats.
New Service Chiefs Named
The Presidency said all appointments take immediate effect. The changes are:
Chief of Defence Staff: General Olufemi Oluyede replaces General Christopher Musa
Chief of Army Staff: Major-General W. Shaibu
Chief of Air Staff: Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke
Chief of Naval Staff: Rear Admiral I. Abbas replaces Emmanuel Ogalla
Chief of Defence Intelligence: Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position
Presidency: Move Aimed at ‘New Direction’
President Tinubu said the reshuffle was necessary to “further strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture” in the face of evolving challenges. He thanked the outgoing chiefs for their “selfless service and dedicated leadership” and charged the new team to deepen professionalism, vigilance, and unity.
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the action was to “inject new direction, energy, and focus” into the security sector, and dismissed claims that it was linked to coup rumours.
Security Context
The shake-up comes as Nigeria continues to battle Islamist insurgencies in the northeast, armed banditry in the northwest, and separatist unrest in the southeast. It is Tinubu’s second major security leadership overhaul since taking office in 2023.
Analysts say the changes reflect Tinubu’s push for intelligence-driven operations, better inter-agency coordination, and modernization of defence infrastructure. Retired officers described the timing as “timely” and consistent with two-year tenure rotations.
