Abuja — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday, met with the newly appointed Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, days after announcing sweeping changes in the nation’s military hierarchy.
The new military heads arrived at the forecourt of the State House around 4 p.m. in a black Mercedes van escorted by a green Toyota Land Cruiser.
In attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major General W. Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral I. Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke; and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye.
President Tinubu had, on Friday, October 24, 2025, approved the appointments of the new Service Chiefs in what the Presidency described as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s national security architecture.
A statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Mr. Sunday Dare, said the new appointments were made “in furtherance of the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the national security architecture.”
According to the statement, General Olufemi Oluyede replaced General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Also appointed were Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kelvin Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, while Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
President Tinubu, while appreciating the outgoing Service Chiefs for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” urged the new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by demonstrating professionalism, vigilance, and unity of purpose.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expresses his 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 in part.
Tinubu charged the newly appointed officers to further enhance the professionalism and comradeship that define the Nigerian Armed Forces in their quest to safeguard the nation.
