ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has approved major changes in Nigeria’s military command, appointing a new set of service chiefs in a move aimed at reinvigorating the country’s security architecture.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 24, 2025, by Sunday Dare, special adviser to the president on media and public communication, Tinubu named Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.
W. Shaibu has been appointed Chief of Army Staff, while S.K. Aneke will serve as Chief of Air Staff. I. Abbas has been named Chief of Naval Staff. E.A.P. Undiendeye, however, retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Dare said the new appointments take immediate effect, describing them as part of Tinubu’s renewed strategy to “reposition the military and enhance coordination among the various arms of the armed forces.”
“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 read.
“President Tinubu charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by further enhancing the professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
This is the second major overhaul of Nigeria’s military leadership under Tinubu since he assumed office in May 2023.
The reshuffle comes amid mounting public pressure for stronger security outcomes as the country continues to grapple with insurgency, banditry, and organised crime across multiple regions.
The outgoing service chiefs, led by Musa, were appointed in June 2023 and oversaw a series of large-scale counterterrorism operations against Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed bandit networks in the north-east and north-west.
While their tenure recorded some operational gains, persistent attacks in parts of the country fuelled calls for a new approach to Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
Oluyede, the new defence chief, is regarded as a seasoned officer with extensive experience in joint operations and counterterrorism strategy.
His appointment is seen as a signal of Tinubu’s determination to consolidate military coordination and improve results on the ground.
