Tinubu Dismisses Service Chiefs and Appoints New Military Leaders in Major Reshuffle

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has initiated a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s military leadership, announcing the removal of several service chiefs and appointing new heads of the armed forces, the presidency confirmed on Friday.

In the changes, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed Chief of Defence Staff, replacing Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa. The new Chief of Army Staff is Maj-Gen. W. Shaibu; Air Vice-Marshal S.K. Aneke will serve as Chief of Air Staff; and Rear Admiral I. Abbas has been named Chief of Naval Staff. Meanwhile, Maj-Gen. E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

All appointments take immediate effect, according to a statement from Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare. President Tinubu expressed “most profound appreciation” to the outgoing service chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” while charging the newly appointed leaders to uphold professionalism, vigilance and the comradeship that define the Nigerian armed forces.