President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a major shake-up in the leadership of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, appointing General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.
In the new appointments approved on Friday, Major-General W. Shaibu takes over as the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke becomes the Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas assumes duty as the Chief of Naval Staff.
However, Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare. The statement noted that the changes are aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national security framework amid evolving threats.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and leadership,” the statement read in part.
President Tinubu also charged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them and to enhance professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces.
The statement confirmed that the appointments take immediate effect.
General Oluyede, who previously served as Chief of Army Staff following the death of General Taoreed Lagbaja last year, will now lead Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters.
The outgoing Service Chiefs — General Musa, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar — had been in office since June 2023, steering key counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations across the country.
Despite recording some operational gains, rising insecurity and repeated attacks in parts of the North had intensified calls for fresh leadership and strategic reform — a move the new appointments appear to address.
