President Bola Tinubu has appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as Nigeria’s new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), succeeding General Christopher Musa, in a sweeping reshuffle aimed at strengthening the country’s military leadership and reinforcing its national security framework.
The announcement, made through a State House statement on Friday, marks a strategic reorganisation of the Armed Forces’ top command. President Tinubu said the appointments were “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.”
He also expressed “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.”
Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede: Seasoned Commander And Strategic Reformer Appointed Chief Of Defence Staff
President Tinubu approved the appointment of Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), following a successful tenure as the 24th Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
A seasoned commander and reform-minded officer, General Oluyede is widely regarded as one of the key figures behind the Nigerian Army’s recent transformation drive, which focused on operational efficiency, personnel welfare, and inter-service cooperation.
During his tenure as Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede led a series of successful counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations in the North-East and North-West, resulting in the decimation of several terrorist enclaves and the surrender of thousands of insurgents.
He also prioritised improved welfare and training for troops, ensuring that field commanders received the logistical and intelligence support needed to sustain momentum on all fronts. His administration introduced key reforms in logistics, intelligence-led warfare, and human capacity development — initiatives that enhanced operational coordination within the Armed Forces.
He was instrumental in expanding the Army’s civil-military relations framework and deepening collaboration with the Navy and Air Force, fostering joint operations that improved mission outcomes.
Born in 1968 and hailing from Ikere in Ekiti State, General Oluyede’s military career spans nearly four decades. A member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, he was commissioned as a second-lieutenant in 1992 (retroactive to 1987).
Over the years, he has held several command and staff positions, including Platoon Commander at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer at the Guards Brigade, Commandant of the Amphibious Training School, and Commander of the 27 Task Force Brigade, where he oversaw counter-insurgency operations under Operation HADIN KAI.
He also participated in peacekeeping missions with the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia and Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi. Promoted to Major-General in September 2020, his service has earned him numerous honours, including the Corps Medal of Honour, Grand Service Star, Field Command Medal, Field Training Medal, and the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.
Married with three children, General Oluyede is expected to coordinate the strategic operations of the Army, Navy, and Air Force — a crucial task amid Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. His appointment, according to analysts, reflects the President’s desire to ensure continuity and stability in the Armed Forces’ strategic direction.
Major General Waidi Shaibu: Battle-Hardened Strategist Takes Command As 25th Chief Of Army Staff
A decorated commander and seasoned strategist, Major General Waidi Shaibu brings to the post of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) a blend of operational experience, academic rigour, and unyielding commitment to Nigeria’s sovereignty. His appointment signals a defining phase in the Army’s transformation towards enhanced combat readiness and institutional reform.
Born on 18 December 1971 in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, General Shaibu was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1989 as part of the 41 Regular Course and commissioned into the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps in 1994.
A mechanical engineer by training, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the NDA and several advanced degrees, including a Master’s in Strategic Studies (University of Ibadan), a Master’s in Security and Strategic Studies (National Defence University, Washington D.C.), and a Master’s in Public Administration (University of Calabar).
He has commanded formations across challenging theatres, including Borno and Yobe, and previously served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1, Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri. His earlier appointments include Chief of Training (Army Headquarters), Brigade Commander (21 Special Armoured Brigade, Bama), and Chief Instructor at the Nigerian Army Armour School.
Shaibu’s leadership has been tested in major operations such as HARMONY, LAFIYA DOLE, HADIN KAI, and DESERT SANITY, earning him the Purple Heart Medal for gallantry. A Harvard Kennedy School alumnus, he has also served on peacekeeping missions in Liberia and Sudan.
A Fellow of the Defence College and recipient of multiple decorations, including the Distinguished Service Star (DSS) and Meritorious Service Star (MSS), General Shaibu is expected to consolidate Army reforms, enhance intelligence-led warfare, and deepen synergy in joint operations.
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas: Seaman Scholar Rises As 25th Chief Of The Naval Staff
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, a seasoned Above Water Warfare specialist and career naval officer, assumes office as the 25th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), capping nearly four decades of service marked by discipline, professionalism, and operational excellence.
Born on 20 September 1969 in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, he began his military journey at the Air Force Military School, Jos, before enrolling in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as part of the 40 Regular Course. He was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1993 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry.
An accomplished officer, Rear Admiral Abbas has undertaken specialised and command courses at home and abroad, including the Officers’ Long Course (OLC XII) at NNS QUORRA and the United Nations Military Observer Course in Tanzania.
A graduate of the National Defence College, Abuja, he holds the prestigious designations of Passed Staff Course (psc) and Fellow Defence College (fdc).
Abbas has commanded several naval bases and operations, including NNS VICTORY, NNS DAMISA, and the Central Naval Command. His previous appointments include Flag Officer Commanding (CNC), Maritime Guard Commander of NIMASA, and Commander Task Group of Operation TSARE TEKU. He has also served as Chief of Naval Safety and Standards (CNASS) and Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations (CDCMR) at Defence Headquarters.
His exceptional service has earned him honours such as the Forces Service Star (FSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), Grand Service Star (GSS), and Defence General Staff Medal (DGSM).
A member of the Nigerian Institute of Management and the International Institute of Professional Security, Rear Admiral Abbas is recognised for his innovative leadership in maritime security, with his appointment expected to strengthen naval operations and safeguard Nigeria’s coastal and offshore assets.
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke: Intellectual Aviator And Strategic Reformer Becomes 23rd Chief Of The Air Staff
An accomplished pilot and scholar, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke’s appointment as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) embodies a blend of intellectual rigour and operational excellence. His leadership is expected to propel the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) into a new era of smarter airpower, enhanced mobility, and precision warfare.
Born on 20 February 1972 in Makurdi, Benue State, AVM Aneke hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. A member of the 40th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in 1993.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, and two Master’s Degrees — one in International Affairs and Diplomacy (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria) and another in Political Economy and Development Studies (University of Abuja). He also earned a Professional Certificate in Aviation Safety Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, and is currently pursuing a PhD.
With over 4,300 flying hours on multiple aircraft, including the Falcon 900, Gulfstream 550, and Hawker 4000, AVM Aneke has led complex missions within and beyond Nigeria. He has served as Chief of Air Operations for the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), Command Operations Officer at Tactical Air Command, and Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Yenagoa.
Decorated with the Grand Service Star (GSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), and Field Command Medal (FCM), AVM Aneke is known for his calm disposition, discipline, and strategic foresight. He is expected to strengthen the Air Force’s role in counterterrorism, intelligence-led operations, and defence innovation.
E.A.P. Undiendeye — Chief Of Defence Intelligence
Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence. From Bedia in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State, he has been instrumental in coordinating Nigeria’s defence intelligence framework and enhancing inter-agency collaboration in counter-terrorism. His continued tenure provides stability and continuity in the nation’s intelligence operations.
A New Era In Defence Leadership
The new defence team, led by General Olufemi Oluyede, is expected to work in synergy to enhance professionalism, vigilance, and unity across the Armed Forces.
In his directive, President Tinubu urged 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.”
General Oluyede now takes the helm at a decisive moment for Nigeria’s defence establishment, tasked with steering the military through complex security challenges while reinforcing the nation’s commitment to stability and peace.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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