Tinubu sacks service chiefs in major shake-up

President Bola Tinubu has approved sweeping changes in the nation’s military leadership.

In a statement issued on Friday by Sunday Dare, special adviser to the president on media and public communication, Tinubu named Olufemi Oluyede, a lieutenant general, as the new chief of defence staff, replacing Christopher Musa.

Oluyede was until now the army chief.

Waidi Shaibu, a major general, is the new chief of army staff while Sunday Kelvin Aneke, an air vice marshal, takes over as air chief.

Idi Abbas, a rear admiral, is the new naval chief but Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye, a major general, remains unchanged as chief of defence intelligence.

Dare said the appointments take immediate effect, signalling Tinubu’s renewed push 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 reads.

“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.”

The changes are coming weeks after rumours of a botched coup plot, although denied by the military authorities.

The changes mark the second major reshuffle of the military command under Tinubu’s administration since he assumed office in May 2023.

The move comes amid growing public pressure for stronger security outcomes, as the country continues to battle terrorism, banditry, and other forms of violent crime across several regions.

Tinubu’s latest appointments are expected to bring fresh energy into the military hierarchy, with Oluyede’s experience in joint operations and counterterrorism seen as critical to the administration’s renewed security strategy.

The outgoing chiefs, led by Musa, had been in office since June 2023 and oversaw several major operations against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed bandits in the north-east and north-west.

While their tenure recorded significant gains, continued attacks in parts of the country had fuelled calls for a change in strategy and leadership.