President Bola Tinubu has approved sweeping changes in the leadership of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, replacing the Service Chiefs in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s national security architecture.
According to a statement issued on Friday, October 24, 2025, by Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, the new appointments take IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
Under the new military hierarchy, General Olufemi Oluyede replaces General Christopher Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff. Major-General W. Shaibu has been appointed Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke is now the Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas becomes the Chief of Naval Staff.
Meanwhile, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.
President Tinubu, who also serves as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expressed appreciation to the outgoing Service Chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” while charging the newly appointed officers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and loyalty.
“The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement added.
The leadership shake-up underscores President Tinubu’s continued effort to recalibrate Nigeria’s security architecture amid ongoing challenges of insurgency, banditry, and internal conflicts across parts of the country.
