President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a major shake-up in Nigeria’s security leadership, replacing the Service Chiefs and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s security system.
Under the new appointments, General Olufemi Oluyede takes over from General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff. Major-General W. Shaibu becomes the new Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abass is appointed Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke is named Chief of Air Staff.
General Olufemi Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff
General Olufemi Oluyede, a member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, has built a long and distinguished career in the Nigerian Army. Before this appointment, he served as the Chief of Army Staff after the passing of the late Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
An infantry officer by training, Oluyede has held several key command and staff positions, including Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade under Operation Hadin Kai, Commandant of the Amphibious Training School, and Commander of the Infantry Corps.
During his tenure as Chief of Army Staff, he prioritized troop welfare — increasing daily feeding allowances and introducing a housing scheme for retired officers. His emphasis on welfare and morale helped improve frontline performance and contributed to several key military successes.
Now as Chief of Defence Staff, General Oluyede is expected to deepen inter-service cooperation, modernize the armed forces, and strengthen civil-military relations.
Major-General Waidi Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff
Major-General Shaibu, from the 41st Regular Course of the NDA, hails from the Armour Corps. He previously served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander, Sector 1 of Operation Hadin Kai, where he led major operations against insurgents in the North East, including the successful clearance of the Sambisa Forest and Timbuktu Triangle.
Known for combining kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in counterinsurgency operations, Shaibu worked closely with local communities to rebuild trust and promote peace through initiatives such as the Local Community Policing and Peace Enforcement (LCPPE) program.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, once described him as “a pillar in the success of the fight against more than a decade-long insurgency in the North East.”
Rear Admiral Idi Abass – Chief of Naval Staff
Rear Admiral Abass, from Kano State, joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as part of the 40th Regular Course. A specialist in Above Water Warfare (AWW), he has undergone extensive training both locally and internationally, including at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and the National Defence College, Abuja.
He has held numerous leadership positions, such as Commander of NNS Victory, Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command, Chief of Naval Safety and Standards, and Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations at the Defence Headquarters.
As Chief of Naval Staff, Abass is expected to intensify the fight against oil theft, piracy, and maritime crimes, while also improving professionalism, personnel welfare, and fleet modernization within the Nigerian Navy.
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke – Chief of Air Staff
Air Vice Marshal Aneke, from Enugu State, began his military journey in 1988 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force in 1993. He holds certifications in Aeromechanical Engineering, and has completed training at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, as well as the U.S. Air Force Air University in Alabama.
Throughout his career, he has held several key roles including Commander, 307 Executive Airlift Group, Director of Safety at NAF Headquarters, and Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
AVM Aneke is an accomplished pilot with over 4,300 flying hours across several aircraft types, including the Gulfstream V and Hawker 4000.
As Chief of Air Staff, he is expected to build on the gains of his predecessor by maintaining strong air-ground coordination, strengthening civil-military relations, and advancing the Nigerian Air Force’s modernization and safety initiatives.
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With these new appointments, President Tinubu aims to inject fresh energy and strategic direction into the armed forces, ensuring improved coordination, stronger leadership, and a renewed commitment to tackling Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
