President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved significant changes in the leadership of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, appointing new service chiefs in what the presidency describes as a strategic move to strengthen the country’s national security framework.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, the president announced the appointment of Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, former Chief of Army Staff, as the new Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa.
Other key appointments include Major-General W. Shaibu as the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position.
According to the statement, all appointments take immediate effect.
President Tinubu, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, expressed profound appreciation to the outgoing Service Chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership” throughout their tenure. He urged the newly appointed military heads to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating “enhanced professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship” in their service to the nation.
The military shake-up is part of the Tinubu administration’s ongoing efforts to reposition Nigeria’s security sector, improve inter-service cooperation, and sustain the momentum in combating terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality threatening peace and stability across the country.
