President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a major shake-up in Nigeria’s military leadership, appointing new service chiefs to strengthen the country’s defence and security system. The announcement was made on Friday through a statement issued by Sunday Dare, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication. The appointments are part of Tinubu’s strategy to reform the armed forces and enhance coordination among the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defence Intelligence.

Olufemi Oluyede now serves as the Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa. Born in Ikere, Ekiti State, in 1968, Oluyede is a seasoned infantry officer with over 30 years of military experience. He has commanded several key operations, including Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State, and served in peacekeeping missions in Liberia and the Bakassi Peninsula. Before his current role, he was the Commander of the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna.

The new Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shuaibu, brings deep operational expertise to his new post. Previously the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Shuaibu was known for his strong leadership in counterterrorism operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP. He also promoted civil-military relations, including scholarship initiatives for local students, highlighting his commitment to community engagement alongside military excellence.

Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke has been appointed Chief of Air Staff. A highly experienced pilot from Enugu State, Aneke joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1988 and has accumulated over 4,300 flight hours across several aircraft types. With degrees in physics, diplomacy, political economy, and strategic studies, he has served in senior command and administrative roles within the Nigerian Air Force, including Deputy Commandant of the NDA.

Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff, previously serving as Chief of Naval Safety and Standards. He has held several key positions across Nigeria’s maritime command structures, where he focused on operational discipline and naval safety. Meanwhile, Major General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye, from Cross River State, retains his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI). He is recognised for promoting intelligence-led operations and strengthening data sharing among security agencies.

President Tinubu’s decision to appoint these new military heads underscores his commitment to enhancing national security through leadership renewal, efficiency, and accountability in Nigeria’s armed forces.