Tinubu appoints new service chiefs, names Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved major changes in the leadership of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, appointing a new set of service chiefs in what the Presidency described as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s national security architecture.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, the appointments take immediate effect.

General Olufemi Oluyede has been named the new Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa. Major-General W. Shaibu becomes the Chief of Army Staff, while Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke has been appointed Chief of Air Staff. Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff.

The statement added that Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye will continue in his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

President Tinubu, who serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing service chiefs, led by General Musa, for what he described as their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership” during their tenure.

He also charged the newly appointed service chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating professionalism, vigilance and teamwork in the discharge of their duties.

“The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement said.

Friday’s reshuffle marks another significant reorganisation in the nation’s defence leadership since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023. The changes come amid continuing security challenges across various regions, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West, and secessionist-related violence in the South-East.

With the new appointments, security analysts expect a renewed focus on joint operations, intelligence sharing, and civil-military cooperation, as the administration seeks to consolidate recent gains in the fight against terrorism and other internal security threats.

All appointments, the Presidency reiterated, take immediate effect.