President Bola Tinubu on Friday approved a major shake-up in Nigeria’s military high command.
Under the new appointments, General Olufemi Oluyede assumes the role of Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa.
Major General Waidi Shaibu takes over as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke becomes Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas steps in as Chief of Naval Staff.
Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Meet the Service Chiefs
1. General Olufemi Oluyede — Chief of Defence Staff
General Olufemi Oluyede assumes Nigeria’s top military position with a record of discipline, calm leadership, and operational expertise.
Born in 1968 in Ikere, Ekiti State, he is a member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He previously served as Commander of the Infantry Corps in Jaji, Kaduna, and later as Chief of Army Staff after the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja.
In December 2024, the Senate confirmed Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.
2. Major General Waidi Shaibu — Chief of Army Staff
Hailing from Nasarawa State, Major General Shaibu is highly regarded for his leadership in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast.
According to reports from April 2025, he served as Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, leading key missions that weakened Boko Haram and ISWAP networks, resulting in the surrender of numerous insurgents and their families.
He also served as General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Maiduguri, where his leadership brought notable gains in counterterrorism and rehabilitation efforts.
3. Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke — Chief of Air Staff
Born in Makurdi, Benue State, and a native of Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, AVM Sunday Aneke is a decorated officer and seasoned pilot with over 4,300 flying hours.
According to his profile on the Nigeria Air Force website, he is a member of the 40th Regular Course of the NDA and 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 service record includes leadership in logistics, flight operations, and safety management. Aneke has flown several aircraft types, including Dornier 228 and Gulfstream jets, and previously served as Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
4. Rear Admiral Idi Abbas — Chief of Naval Staff
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas from Kano State brings extensive naval operational and administrative experience.
According to a 2023 report, he formerly served as Director of Operations at Naval Headquarters and later as Chief of Naval Safety and Standards.
5. Major General Emmanuel Undiendeye — Chief of Defence Intelligence
Continuing in his role as Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiendeye from Bedia, Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, maintains oversight of Nigeria’s defence intelligence structure.
A veteran officer and former Commandant of the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Undiendeye is known for his strategic insight in security, peacekeeping, and intelligence coordination.
