President Bola Tinubu on Friday approved a major overhaul of Nigeria’s military high command, signaling a renewed push to strengthen the nation’s defence and security apparatus.
Under the new appointments:
General Olufemi Oluyede succeeds General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
Major General Waidi Shaibu becomes Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke assumes office as Chief of Air Staff (CAS).
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas takes over as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS).
Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye retains his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI).
Meet the New Service Chiefs
1. General Olufemi Oluyede — Chief of Defence Staff
Born in 1968 in Ikere, Ekiti State, Oluyede is a seasoned officer with a reputation for discipline and operational excellence. A member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), he previously served as Commander of the elite Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna, and later as Chief of Army Staff following the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. The Senate confirmed him as substantive COAS in December 2024.
2. Major General Waidi Shaibu — Chief of Army Staff
Hailing from Nasarawa State, Shaibu is widely respected for his frontline command against insurgency in Nigeria’s Northeast. As Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, he led operations that significantly weakened Boko Haram and ISWAP networks, resulting in the surrender of hundreds of militants and their families. Shaibu also served as General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Maiduguri, achieving notable progress in counterterrorism and rehabilitation efforts.
3. Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke — Chief of Air Staff
Born in Makurdi, Benue State, and from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, AVM Aneke is a decorated pilot with over 4,300 flying hours. A member of the 40th Regular Course of the NDA, he holds degrees from the University of Calabar, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Abuja, and the U.S. Air War College, where he earned a Master’s in Strategic Studies. His long career includes leadership roles in logistics, flight operations, and safety management, and he previously served as Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
4. Rear Admiral Idi Abbas — Chief of Naval Staff
From Kano State, Abbas brings decades of naval operational and administrative experience. He previously served as Director of Operations at Naval Headquarters and Chief of Naval Safety and Standards, positioning him to provide strategic leadership in maritime defence.
5. Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye — Chief of Defence Intelligence
Retaining his post, Undiendeye, from Bedia in Obudu Local Government Area, Cross River State, continues to lead Nigeria’s defence intelligence architecture. A career officer and former Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, he is recognized for his expertise in security analysis, regional peacekeeping, and intelligence coordination.
The shake-up reflects President Tinubu’s commitment to reinforcing Nigeria’s national security architecture and ensuring that the armed forces are led by competent and strategically minded officers.
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