President Bola Tinubu has approved a major shake-up in the hierarchy of the Nigerian Armed Forces, appointing General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Oluyede replaces General Christopher Musa, who has held the position since 2023.
In the new appointments, Major-General W. Shaibu becomes the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke takes over as Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas has been named the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his position.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, on Friday. Dare explained that the decision aligns with the Tinubu administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the other Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” the statement read.
“The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by further enhancing the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
All appointments take immediate effect.
General Oluyede’s elevation comes less than a year after he was appointed acting Chief of Army Staff following the death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja in December 2024.
The new service chiefs are expected to build on the current administration’s ongoing security reforms and intensify efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry, and other national security challenges.
