In a major leadership overhaul designed to strengthen command structures and enhance operational efficiency, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the posting and appointment of senior officers to key command, staff, and instructional positions across the Nigerian Army.
The large-scale reshuffle, announced at the weekend, is part of ongoing efforts to reposition the Nigerian Army for improved performance and to ensure that its leadership reflects competence, professionalism, and strategic alignment with current security realities.
According to the statement, Major General Bamidele Alabi has been appointed Chief of Policy and Plans (Army) at the Army Headquarters, while Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, formerly Chief of Special Services and Programmes, proceeds to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Operations.
Also redeployed is Major General Peter Mala, who moves from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) as Commander. Major General Samson Jiya will now serve as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget at the Defence Headquarters.
In the same exercise, Major General Mayirenso Saraso has been appointed Chief of Operations (Army), and Major General Isa Abdullahi takes over as Chief of Administration (Army). Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi assumes duty as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, while Major General Abubakar Haruna becomes Commander of the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC), Kontagora.
Other key appointments include Major General Philip Ilodibia, who will now serve as Chief of Defence Space Administration at the Defence Space Administration.
The reorganization also saw the appointment of new Corps Commanders across major Army branches. Major General Godwin Mutkut becomes Corps Commander Infantry, and Major General Umar Abubakar assumes duty as Commander, Nigerian Army Armour Corps.
At the same time, Major General John Adeyemo has been named Corps Commander Artillery, Major General Mohammed Abdullahi takes charge as Corps Commander Signals, while Major General Taofik Sidick becomes Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army).
Others include Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim, Corps Commander Ordnance; Major General Adeyinka Adereti, Corps Commander Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; Major General Nansak Shagaya, Corps Commander Supply and Transport; and Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, who assumes office as Acting Corps Commander Education.
Appointments in Training Institutions
In the training and academic establishments, Major General Oluyemi Olatoye has been appointed Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, while Major General Emmanuel Mustapha now heads the Nigerian Army Signal School.
Also redeployed are Major General Adamu Hassan, who becomes Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Artillery, and Brigadier General John Bulus, who now serves as Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts.
In field operations, Major General Saidu Audu has been appointed Force Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena, Chad. Major General Warrah Idris now leads the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, while Major General Oluremi Fadairo takes over as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, and Commander, Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA.
At the Defence Headquarters, Major General Olatokumbo Bello has been appointed Director of Defence Media Operations, and Brigadier General Samaila Uba is now Director of Defence Information.
While congratulating the newly appointed senior officers, Lieutenant General Shaibu urged them to display renewed commitment, strategic foresight, and integrity in their new roles.
He charged them to sustain the momentum of ongoing operations, deepen interagency collaboration, and uphold the Nigerian Army’s core values of loyalty, service, and excellence.
“The Nigerian Army must remain disciplined, combat-ready, and responsive to the demands of national security,” the COAS said. “This reshuffle is a deliberate effort to reinforce leadership and align the Army’s command structure with its operational goals.”
Security analysts say the postings reflect the Army leadership’s intent to inject fresh energy into the system, reward professionalism, and ensure effective coordination of operations across the country and beyond.
, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the posting and appointment of senior officers to key command, staff, and instructional positions across the Nigerian Army.){kind=link}