President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved far-reaching changes in the leadership of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, sacking the current Service Chiefs and appointing new military heads in what the Presidency described as a bold step to strengthen national security.
A statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said the move was part of Tinubu’s efforts to “reinvigorate Nigeria’s defence architecture and enhance operational efficiency across the armed forces.”
According to the statement, the new appointments are as follows:
- General Olufemi Oluyede, former Chief of Army Staff — Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa.
- Major-General W. Shaibu — Chief of Army Staff. Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke — Chief of Air Staff.
- Rear Admiral I. Abbas — Chief of Naval Staff. Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye — retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The reshuffle is expected to spark a wave of retirements within the upper echelons of the military, as is customary when new service chiefs emerge. By long-standing tradition, officers who are coursemates or seniors to the newly appointed chiefs typically proceed on voluntary retirement.
The new appointees, all members of Course 41 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), replace their predecessors from Course 39, including outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Oluyede.
Military insiders told Leadership Weekend that more than 50 senior officers, including several Principal Staff Officers at Service Headquarters and Commanders of tri-service institutions, may opt for early retirement in the coming weeks.
Defence analysts say the overhaul reflects President Tinubu’s resolve to reposition the Armed Forces amid persistent security threats from terrorism, banditry, and separatist agitations across the country.
“This is a strategic reset — the President wants fresh energy, loyalty, and innovation at the top of the military,” a senior security analyst told Leadership Weekend.
