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President Bola Tinubu on Friday carried out a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s military leadership, appointing new service chiefs in a move aimed at bolstering national security and improving coordination among the armed forces.
General Christopher Musa was replaced by General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff. Major-General Waidi Shaibu was named Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke became Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas was appointed Chief of Naval Staff. Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retained his post as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The announcement, signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, stated that the changes reflect the Nigerian government’s continued commitment to reinforcing defence capability and modernising command structures.
Profiles of the New Service Chiefs
General Olufemi Oluyede – Chief of Defence Staff
Until his appointment, General Oluyede served as Chief of Army Staff. A member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 and rose to major general in 2020.
The 56-year-old officer has held key command roles, including Commander of the Infantry Corps, Adjutant at 65 Battalion, and Commandant of the Amphibious Training School.
He has taken part in major missions such as ECOMOG in Liberia, Operation Harmony IV in Bakassi, and Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East.
His distinguished career has earned him several awards, including the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, and a fellowship at the National Institute.
Major-General Waidi Shaibu – Chief of Army Staff
Major-General Waidi Shaibu, the 25th Chief of Army Staff, is recognised as a strategic and highly experienced field commander. Born on 18 December 1971 in Kogi State, he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1989 (41st Regular Course) and was commissioned into the Armoured Corps in 1994.
He holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the NDA and several postgraduate qualifications, including master’s degrees in public administration (University of Calabar), strategic studies (University of Ibadan), and security and strategic studies (National Defence University, Washington D.C.).
Shaibu has held major posts such as GOC 7 Division, Commander Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai, Brigade Commander 21 Special Armoured Brigade, and Chief of Training, Army Headquarters. His operational experience spans missions like Harmony, Boyona, Lafiya Dole, Hadin Kai, and Desert Sanity. He is married to Hajia Safiyyah Hassan, and they have two children.
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke – Chief of Air Staff
Born on February 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue State, AVM Aneke hails from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
A member of the 40th Regular Course, he joined the NDA in 1988 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force in 1993.
He holds a BSc in Physics and postgraduate qualifications from the University of Calabar, Ahmadu Bello University, the University of Abuja, and the Air War College in the United States.
Before his elevation, he served as Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy and previously held roles such as Director of Safety, Director of Policy, and Command Operations Officer at Tactical Air Command.
A certified pilot, he has flown several aircraft, including the Dornier 228, Falcon 900, Gulfstream V, and Hawker 4000. He is married to Mrs Ngozi Enderline Aneke, with whom he has three sons.
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas – Chief of Naval Staff
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas was born on 20 September 1969 in Kano State and joined the NDA in 1987 as part of the 40th Regular Course.
He was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1993 and specialises in above-water warfare.
He holds a degree in chemistry and has completed multiple professional courses both in Nigeria and abroad. Abbas has served in key roles such as Maritime Guard Commander (NIMASA), Commander Task Group (Operation Tsare-Teku), and Flag Officer Commanding (Central Naval Command).
He also previously served as Chief of Naval Safety and Standards and Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations at Defence Headquarters.
Until his appointment, he was a Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Heritage Centre. He is married to Mrs Aisha Abbas, and they have two sons.
