President Bola Tinubu has announced changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs.
This is “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture,” according to a statement released Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
The statement, titled “Tinubu Changes Service Chiefs,” confirmed that General Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff.
“The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K. Aneke is Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most 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 added.
Tinubu urged the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by further enhancing professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship within the Armed Forces.
All appointments take immediate effect.
Meanwhile, this platform had earlier reported in June 19, 2023 that President Tinubu approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Comptroller-General of Customs.
At that time, the President stated that the move was part of efforts to restructure Nigeria’s security leadership and strengthen the national defence system.
The 2023 reshuffle came amid persistent security challenges, including insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, and secessionist unrest in parts of the Southeast.
Additionally, ideemlawful reported on October 19 that reports of an alleged plot by some military officers to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration sparked outrage among Nigerians, prompting warnings from senior lawyers, civil society groups, and retired generals against any anti-democratic actions.
In response, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, issued a statement on Saturday denying a report by Sahara Reporters linking the detention of 16 military officers to a failed coup plot.
This online newspaper had connected the alleged coup to the Federal Government’s decision to cancel Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebration.
Dismissing the report, Gusau said it was “intended to cause unnecessary tension and distrust among the populace,” explaining that the October 1 parade cancellation was “purely administrative.”
He added that the decision allowed the President to attend a bilateral meeting abroad and ensured that troops could sustain ongoing operations against insurgency and banditry.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has now appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.
This was confirmed in another statement by Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, on Friday.
According to the statement, Musa was replaced by Oluyede, who previously served as Chief of Army Staff.
Major-General W. Shaibu was named the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshall S.K. Aneke became Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas was appointed Chief of Naval Staff.
However, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retained his position.
“President Bola Tinubu has made changes in the hierarchy of the Service Chiefs in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.
“The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff. The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S.K. Aneke is Chief of Air Staff, while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses most 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 President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
This marks President Tinubu’s second major security leadership reshuffle since taking office in May 2023.
Back in June 2023, he replaced the Chief of Defence Staff, all Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Comptroller-General of Customs.
Those appointed at the time included Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. C.G. Musa as Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. T.A. Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E.A. Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff, AVM H.B. Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff, DIG Kayode Egbetokun as Acting Inspector-General of Police, and Maj. Gen. E.P.A. Undiandeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
