The Presidency through the Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, has expressed happiness on the smooth screening and confirmation of appointments of the Service Chiefs by the Senate .
Senator Lado in a statement said: “As the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, I facilitated this crucial interface to ensure a smooth and coordinated engagement between the Executive and the Legislature, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to effective governance and national security.
“The appointment of Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede (Chief of Defence Staff), Major Gen. Waidi Shaibu (Chief of Army Staff), AVM Sunday K. Aneke (Chief of Air Staff), and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas (Chief of Naval Staff) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, represents a strategic step towards strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture and fostering synergy among the Armed Forces for the protection of our nation’s sovereignty and citizens.
“I extend my profound appreciation to the President of the Senate, the Senate Leadership, and Distinguished Senators for the prompt and thorough consideration that led to the confirmation of the new Service Chiefs.
“Their commitment underscores the strong collaboration between the Executive and the Legislature in advancing the national interest and ensuring the security and stability of our dear nation”
Former Niger Delta militant leader, self-styled General Endurance Amagbein, has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the appointment of new service chiefs, describing the decision as timely and necessary to address the rising wave of insecurity across the country.
In a statement in Abuja, Amagbein, popularly known as Adaka Boro the Second, said he has confidence in the Tinubu-led administration and expressed optimism that the new military leadership would strengthen the nation’s security architecture and restore Nigeria’s pride globally.
While congratulating the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General W. Shaibu; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke; and Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Iddi Abbas, the ex-agitator urged the Defence Chief to revisit investigations into the Okuama killings in Delta State.
He lamented that despite the killings of soldiers and the subsequent mass arrests, no one had been brought to justice, accusing certain “unscrupulous surveillance contractors” of misleading authorities and instigating the wrongful persecution of innocent persons.
“The truth is never complete in the mouth of one man,” Amagbein said, stressing the need for collective intelligence and collaboration between the armed forces and credible stakeholders in the Niger Delta whose commitment has helped sustain peace in the region.
He cautioned the new military leadership to steer clear of partisan politics in order to preserve the institution’s integrity and effectiveness in securing the nation. He also pledged his full support to the Tinubu administration and to all appointed service chiefs in their efforts to serve the people.
Amagbein particularly commended the appointment of Rear Admiral Iddi Abbas, noting his familiarity with the naval chief’s integrity and professional track record during his tenure as Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command.
He expressed confidence that the new service chiefs possess the experience and vision to reposition the armed forces for greater efficiency, praying God to grant them wisdom, courage, and strength to discharge their duties effectively.
“They have my total support now and always,” he added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday replaced the Service Chiefs and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in a decisive move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture.
Under the new appointments, General Olufemi Oluyede replaced General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff. Additionally, Major-General W. Shaibu has been appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the new Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke as the new Chief of Air Staff.
Lt.-Gen Oluyede
Lt.-Gen Olufemi Oluyede, the new Chief of Defence Staff (COAS) is a member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was appointed the Acting COAS in September 39, 2024, after the demise of the former COAS, the late Lt.-Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, and confirmed on December 9, 2024.
Oluyede, an infantry officer, has a military career spanning numerous command and staff roles across Nigeria and in various international deployments. He has held command that have included Platoon Commander and Adjutant at the 65 Battalion, Company Commander at the 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer with the Guards Brigade, Commandant of the Amphibious Training School, Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade in the North East, leading operations under Operation HADIN KAI, and Commander Infantry Corps, a position he held before he was appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff in 2024.
During his one-year tenure as Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Oluyede championed troop welfare in all ramifications. Five months into his appointment, he increased the daily Ration Cash Allowance for Nigerian Army troops from N1,500 to N3,000. To address accommodation challenges, he introduced a housing scheme to ensure officers have a place to live after retirement. Consequently, his welfare packages improved troop morale, enabling them to fight effectively on the frontline and contributing to successes against terrorists and other non-state actors.
His appointment as the new Chief of Defence Staff has not only placed a battle-tested commander at the helm of Nigeria’s highest military structure, but also a commander who values personnel welfare and civil-military relations as significant factors enhancing operational successes. Having understood the importance of welfare in troop morale, Gen. Oluyede is likely to translate this understanding into tangible improvements for all service members, boosting morale while driving a comprehensive modernization agenda.
The new CDS will also have an easy transition, building on the legacy of his predecessor, who championed a whole-of-society and government approach to combat current security challenges, having successfully done so at the Army Headquarters where he combined kinetic and non-kinetic means to fight insecurity with appreciable results.
The new CDS is expected to build on the effective interoperability among the services, which has enabled all branches of the armed forces to work in synergy, achieving desired objectives in defeating the country’s enemies.
Maj-Gen. Shaibu
Major General Waidi Shaibu, a member of 41 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, is from the Armour Corps. He was GOC 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai in the North East.
Prior to this role, he was the Deputy Commandant/Director of Studies at the National Defence College and has held other key positions, including General Officer Commanding (GOC) the 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 of Operation Hadin Kai, a military operation against terrorists in the North East.
He also served as Commander of 21 Special Armour Brigade Bama, Director of Training at the Army Headquarters Department of Training, Principal Staff Officer at Defense Headquarters.
The new Chief of Army Staff has extensive experience in the fight against insurgency in the North East, including operations in the Sambisa Forest area.
Maj-Gen. Shaibu is an advocate of kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in counterinsurgency operations, including de-radicalization and using trips to broaden the worldview of former extremists.
One of his notable achievements as GOC 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 during his 14-month tenure was the successful deep clearance operations into the Sambisa Forest and Timbuktu Triangle in February 2024. These operations significantly degraded terrorist hideouts and supply routes.
Additionally, the Local Community Policing and Peace Enforcement (LCPPE) initiative held from February 12 to 17, 2024, fostered trust with local communities and created a conducive environment for peace-building activities.
During an award ceremony organised in Maiduguri, both the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, and the Theater Commander Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Sambo Ali, described Maj-Gen. Shaibu as an asset to the Nigerian Army.
While paying tribute to Maj-Gen Shaibu, Maj.Gen Ali saluted his gallantry and exploits in the battlefield.
“Before I came here, I had been hearing about his exploits. But when I came to the theatre, I knew he was an asset to the Nigerian Army, based on what I have seen him displayed,” Ali said.
On his part, Governor Zulum reflected on how Gen. Shaibu contributed to peace building in the state.
“Shaibu is a simple person, dedicated and unassuming. During his tenure, we resettled many communities, such as Kauri, Malaria, and a larger part of Banki, and we defeated the insurgency.
“He is one of the pillars in the success in the fight against more than a decade-long insurgency in the North East,” Zulum said.
Rear Admiral Abass
Rear Admiral Idi Abass hails from Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, and enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on 12 September 1987 and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 10 September, 1993 as a member of 40 Regular Course.
He is a Water Warfare (AWW) specialist officer who has attended several military courses at home and abroad, including the Sub-Lieutenant Technical Course at NNS QUORRA in 1994, the Junior and Senior Staff Courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji in 2001 and 2005 respectively.
From January to December 2003, he attended the Officers’ Long Course (OLC XII) at NNS QUORRA Apapa Lagos specializing in Above Water Warfare, United Nations Military Observer Course in Tanzania, and National Defence College (NDC) Abuja.
He held several appointments in the Nigerian Navy, including Base Administrative Officer of NNS PATHFINDER and Naval contingent Commander of Joint Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN, Maritime Guard Commander (MGC) of NIMASA in 2015 and Commander Task Group (CTG) of NN Operation Tsare-Teku, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC CNC) of Central Naval Command and Commander NNS VICTORY, Chief of Naval Safety and Standard (CNASS), Chief of Defence Civil Military Relations (CDCMR) and Defence Headquarters (DHQ), and Senior Research Fellow, Nigerian Army Heritage Centrethe; an appointment he held before his elevation to the post of 25th Chief of Naval Staff.
The new Chief of Naval Staff is expected to intensify the fight against maritime crime by combating oil theft, piracy, and sea robbery in Nigerian waters and the Gulf of Guinea, as well as countering illegal bunkering and fishing activities that pose economic and environmental threats.
He should enhance operational readiness by promoting professionalism within the Nigerian Navy through training and capacity development, investing in fleet renewal, logistics, and infrastructure upgrades, and developing human capital through quality training and education for naval personnel.
Rear Admiral Abass is expected to strengthen strategic partnerships and collaboration by fostering inter-agency synergy with other security agencies and stakeholders, engaging in international collaboration to combat transnational maritime crimes, and building partnerships with maritime stakeholders, including government agencies and industry.
He is also expected to prioritise personnel welfare and integrity by ensuring high-priority attention to the welfare of naval personnel, upholding professionalism and ethics through a “zero-tolerance” policy for indiscipline and corruption, and implementing a system to reward personnel who demonstrate high integrity.
Air Vice Marshal Aneke
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke is the 23rd Chief of Air Staff. He hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, and started his military career on 10 September 1988 when he was enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of 40th Regular Course. Consequently he was commissioned as a pilot officer into the Nigerian Air Force on 10 September 1993.
Air Vice Marshal Aneke attended various military courses in the course of his career. These include the certificate in Aeromechanical Engineering from the officers Engineering School Technical Training Group (now Air Force Institute of Technology). Ab-initia Flying Training from 301 Flying Training School and Basic Flying Training from 301 Flying Training School now 401 FTS. He attended the Prestigious Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the United States Air Force Air University Montgomery Alabama.
Air Vice Marshal Aneke has had numerous appointments, including Commander 307 Executive Air Lift Group Abuja, Deputy Director Evaluation (Air) Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Command Evaluation Officer Air Training Command Kaduna, Command Operations Officer and Evaluation Officer Tactical Air Training Command Makurdi, Chief of Staff Air Training Command Kaduna, Command Operations Officer Tactical Air Command Makurdi, Director of Safety Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Abuja, Deputy Director Operations Headquarters Nigerian Air Force, Director of Policy Headquarters Nigerian Air Force and he is currently the Deputy Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy (Africa’s Foremost Military University) Kaduna.
The new NAF boss has flown Air Beetle 18, Air Beetle 18 extended version, Dornier – 228, Citation – 500, Falcon 900, Gulfs tream V, Gulf Stream 550 and the Hawker – 4000. He has an Advance Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) with a total 4,359 flying hours.
Air Vice Marshal Aneke is expected to bring with him a wealth of experience, intellectual rigour, and operational dexterity that position him to steer the Nigerian Air Force towards greater efficiency in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, and emerging security threats.
The new Chief of Air Staff faces significant challenges, including ensuring continued synergy between the Nigerian Air Force and ground troops by providing adequate air support during operations. His predecessor had excelled in this aspect, contributing to successes in various operations nationwide.
The new Chief is also expected to build on his predecessor’s innovative strides, particularly in infrastructure and platform maintenance. Additionally, he will likely focus on maintaining the Nigerian Air Force’s strong Civil-Military Relations, an area where his predecessor achieved notable success. Furthermore, he is expected to continue the Civilian Harm Mitigation initiative, aimed at protecting civilians and reducing air crashes during operations.
• Shaibu, Aneke, Abbas are new Army, NAF, Navy Chiefs
• Appointment of new helmsmen routine exercise – Presidency
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday approved major changes in the leadership of the armed forces with a charge to newly appointed service chiefs to be vigilant and unifying.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, yesterday, the President named former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff replacing Gen. Christopher Musa.
Maj-Gen. W. Shaibu was appointed the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice-Marshal S.K. Aneke as Chief of Air Staff and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the new Chief of Naval Staff.
Maj-Gen. E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.
All appointments, the statement said, take immediate effect.
President Tinubu, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expressed deep appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa, and other retired Service Chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership” during their tenure.
He charged the newly appointed military heads to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating “enhanced professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship” in the discharge of their duties.
The shake-up in the military hierarchy comes as part of ongoing efforts by the Tinubu administration to reposition the security sector, improve coordination among the services, and sustain momentum in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges across the country.
In a post on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, on Thursday, the President charged the newly appointed service chiefs to deepen professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces as they serve the nation with honour and dedication.
He said the new appointments were part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture and enhance operational effectiveness.
He said: “I have approved changes in the hierarchy of our Armed Forces to further strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.
“I charge the new Service Chiefs to deepen professionalism, vigilance, and unity within our Armed Forces as they serve our nation with honour.”
President Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other former Service Chiefs for their “selfless service and dedicated leadership,” assuring that the new appointments reflect his administration’s resolve to ensure a secure and stable Nigeria.
The Presidency clarified that President Tinubu’s appointment of new service chiefs was a routine administrative exercise carried out in line with his constitutional powers as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, stated this while reacting to media reports suggesting that the leadership changes signaled internal discord within the administration.
He described the appointments as part of the President’s ongoing efforts to recalibrate and strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture for greater efficiency and effectiveness.
He emphasised that appointments and reappointments in the security sector remain the exclusive preserve of the President, guided by his duty to safeguard national security and ensure effective leadership within the Armed Forces.
“It is a routine. The President, as the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic can make such appointments just as he changed ministers a few months ago,” he added.
The latest changes mark another strategic recalibration of the country’s security leadership under President Tinubu’s watch, aimed at consolidating gains in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other threats to national peace.
Shake-up in military remarkable – Gen. Atolagbe
Maj-Gen Anthony Atolagbe (rtd), a former Commander of Operations Safe Haven, yesterday commended President Tinubu for the shake-up in the military amid the security challenges facing the country.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Atolagbe, a former Director of Peace-keeping Operations with the Nigerian Army, said the President, in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief, did something remarkable by replacing the service chiefs.
“This is a very bold step; it is going to make the military align properly with the procedures and the necessary steps that need to be taken in the career progression of officers. When you allow officers to overstay, you dim the light of the other ones that are behind.
“But this President has done something that is remarkable. I know that the system will be quite excited with this development,” he said.
Asked if Tinubu made some special considerations by retaining some senior officers, he said the appointments were made because the officers met the requirements for their new positions.
“They fit appropriately to where they are right now. Career progression allows for continuity in the operations that are being carried out in the country.
“Both the Chief of Army Staff and the CDS are people who are coming from the theatre and broadly aligned with the security situation within the country.
“The Chief of Defence Staff is an infantry officer, the Chief of Army Staff is an armoured officer. This aligns with proper steps that are being taken,” he added.
ADC urges transparency in changing service chiefs
On its part the African Democratic Congress (ADC) called on President Tinubu to provide clear and honest explanations to Nigerians on the reasons behind the recent changes in the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC acknowledged that the President, as Commander-in-Chief, has the constitutional authority to appoint or remove service chiefs.
However, it expressed concern that the decision came abruptly, amid public speculation about an alleged coup attempt.
The party noted that government responses to these rumours had so far lacked clarity, saying that an issue of such national importance required openness and transparency rather than what it described as “mixed signals and confusion.”
Noting that most of the outgoing service chiefs were appointed only a few months ago, making the sudden changes more surprising, it stressed that such decisions have far-reaching implications for morale and stability within the military, and therefore should be based on strong and clearly communicated reasons.
“The Federal Government owes Nigerians a categorical explanation about what truly happened,” the statement said, adding that public trust and national cohesion depend on transparent communication, especially during sensitive times.
The party reiterated that, as a responsible opposition, its primary concern remains the stability of Nigeria and the protection of democratic governance.
It expressed worries that developments in neighbouring countries such as Chad and across the Sahel underscore the need for vigilance and steady leadership at home.
While acknowledging the security challenges across different regions of the country, the ADC cautioned that the federal government appeared distracted by political considerations rather than focusing on restoring public confidence and addressing the resurgence of insecurity.
It warned that the near wholesale replacement of the military’s top hierarchy without a clear explanation could further fuel rumours and conspiracy theories, thereby undermining confidence in the government’s handling of national security.
The party urged the government to communicate openly with citizens, dispel growing speculations, and reassure the public that Nigeria’s democracy remains stable and secure.
It affirmed that transparency, accountability and responsible leadership are essential to maintaining peace, unity and public confidence in the country’s governance institutions.
