In a sweeping reorganisation aimed at strengthening command structures and boosting operational effectiveness, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the posting and appointment of senior officers to key command, staff, and instructional positions across the Nigerian Army’s formations, units, and training institutions.
A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations, on Thursday, said the move is part of the Army leadership’s drive to reinvigorate professionalism, improve efficiency, and reposition the service to confront emerging security challenges.
Among those affected in the latest shake-up are:
- Major General Bamidele Alabi, redeployed to the Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans as Chief of Policy and Plans (Army);
- Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, former Chief of Special Services and Programmes, now Chief of Defence Operations at Defence Headquarters;
- Major General Peter Mala, who moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) as Commander; and
- Major General Samson Jiya, redeployed from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget.
Other strategic appointments include Major General Mayirenso Saraso as Chief of Operations (Army); Major General Isa Abdullahi as Chief of Administration (Army); and Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi, who now serves as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs.
In addition, Major General Abubakar Haruna was appointed Commander, Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora, while Major General Philip Ilodibia assumes office as Chief of Defence Space Administration.
The reshuffle also affected several corps commanders. Major General Godwin Mutkut is now Corps Commander, Infantry; Major General Umar Abubakar, Commander, Armour Corps; Major General John Adeyemo, Corps Commander, Artillery; and Major General Mohammed Abdullahi, Corps Commander, Signals.
Others include Major General Taofik Sidick as Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army); Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim, Corps Commander, Ordnance; Major General Adeyinka Adereti, Corps Commander, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; and Major General Nansak Shagaya, Corps Commander, Supply and Transport. Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed was appointed Acting Corps Commander, Education.
At the training institutions, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye moves to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, as Commandant; Major General Emmanuel Mustapha becomes Commandant, Nigerian Army Signal School; Major General Adamu Hassan takes charge as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Artillery; and Brigadier General John Bulus assumes office as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts.
Field commands also saw key changes, with Major General Saidu Audu appointed Force Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena; Major General Warrah Idris, Commander, Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA; and Major General Oluremi Fadairo, General Officer Commanding 82 Division and Commander, Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA.
In related postings, Major General Olatokumbo Bello becomes Director of Defence Media Operations, while Brigadier General Samaila Uba was redeployed from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, to Defence Headquarters as Director of Defence Information.
Lieutenant General Shaibu charged the newly appointed officers to bring their “wealth of operational experience, administrative acumen, and strategic foresight” to bear in their new roles.
He urged them to sustain ongoing operations, enhance interagency cooperation, and uphold the Army’s values of loyalty, selfless service, integrity, and excellence.
“The Nigerian Army must remain disciplined, combat-ready, and focused on decisively confronting contemporary and emerging security challenges,” the COAS said.
